When the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord are damaged they
result in a set of symptoms called Neuropathy, since such nerves are referred
to as peripheral nerves the condition is also known as peripheral neuropathy.
Patients present themselves with classical symptoms like tingling
sensation in the feet and hands, there are times when frank injury occurs and
the patient does not feel the pain.
People who are risks for these could have any one of the conditions or
behaviour patterns. Like diabetics with poor sugar controls, people with
autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, people who have received organ
transplants, alcoholics, and people with Vitamin B6 deficiency are also high
risks.
There are also conditions of occupational disease like carpal tunnel
syndrome in computer workers, or people using clutches or growth compressing
the nerve.Hypothyroidism or decreased efficiency of the thyroid is another
common cause for neuropathy.
Neuropathies are treated by relieving pain in non-depressed patients.
Sometimes anticonvulsants are used too in peripheralneuropathy treatments. As they function blocking the calcium channels. In
extreme cases opiods have been given but by and large they are avoided as they
can cause addiction.
Though alternate therapies have worked wonders, they should be adopted
only after discussion with the physician.
Cannabinoids or a class of chemicals found in marijuana, Botulium Toxin
better known as Botox, dietary supplements
like alpha lipoic and benfotaimine, chiropractic massages, yoga, meditation,
congnitive therapy and accupunture all play a role.All forms of therapy focus
on treating or eliminating the root cause and managing the presenting symptom.
The Ayurvedic Vaidya would
treat neuropathy in general as vatadosha or the imbalance of wind energy. In
the case of nutritional induced neuropathy dietary counselling is done, while
alcoholism is treated by a procedure called Vamana Karma or expelling the
toxins through the mouth. The exact material and methodology depends on the
patients, this is then followed up with oral medications like Vistindhuk vati
and other medhya drugs.
When the neuropathy is hypothyroidism induced, then medicines like Chandraprabha vati, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Arogya-Vardhini,
Chandraprabha-Vati, Maha-Manjishthadi Qwath, Kachnaar-Guggulu, Brahmi-Guggulu,
Triphala-Guggulu and Medohar-Guggulu are prescribed, along with panchakarma
treatments like virechana, niruha and anuvasan basti, and nasyam
Yoga on the other hand would deal with alleviating the pain.
Trauma or pressure
on the nerves could be due to a cast, use of a crutch, or repetitive movements,
it could also be due to a tumour sitting on a nerve. Asanas like sarva anga
asana, halasana, suryanamaskara, suptayajrasana are prescribed to overcome alcoholism.
Yoga uses inversions to alleviate pain. Senior Iyengar yoga teachers have
researched to show that finger and toe exercises help to alleviate neuropathy
in the feet. This is performed by threading the fingers between the toes while
sitting cross legged, the fingers and toes are spread and stretched to increase
circulation and range of motions of the toes. Adhomukha svanasana,
Pawanamuktasana are the other asanas adviced.
Vitamin B6 has often been used to treat the occupation triggered carpal
tunnel syndrome. Though the exact benefit of this is not known.
Acupuncture and Magnet therapy are also quite popular.
Chiropractic therapies use massages and oils to increase circulation to
the affected areas.
Nutritional
deficiencies causing neuropathy might occur independently or as an off shoot of diabetes or
alcoholism. Here the nutritional substitute is given. The diet chart includes
milk, rice, barley, Bengal gram, moong dal and cucumber in adequate quantities.
Coconut oil is suggested as the medium of cooking to improve metabolism.
No matter what the treatment, opted for it should be done in consent
with the attending physician and followed through meticulously.
