Natural Tratment for Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia

Abstract

A pain that is not related to the triggering of pain receptor cells in any part of the body is known as neuropathic pain or non-nociceptive pain. Usually, any lesion or a disease of the somatosensory system causes neuropathic pain. Glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN) is one of the neuropathic pain-causing ear, throat, and neck pain. This pain many times is misdiagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia. GPN is a condition characterized by paroxysmal and severe episodes of pain localized to the base of the tongue, external ear canal, and area beneath the angle of the jaw or the tonsil. The nostrum till yet is surgery or pharmacological drugs. What if, herbal drugs are given to a patient? There are management ideas by Ayurveda herein addressed in this review.

Introduction

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is an extremely rare condition in which episodic pain occurs in the region where the glossopharyngeal nerve supplies – in the throat, tongue, ear, and tonsils. The pain is severe and it can last from a few seconds to a few minutes and up to hours. The pain usually occurs on only one side of the face. The pain may be exacerbated by coughing, laughing, chewing, speaking, and swallowing.

According to the ‘International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)’ defines GPN as sudden, brief, severe recurrent pain in the region where anatomically, glossopharyngeal nerve supplies. It usually affects people after the sixth decade of life. Since there are many other nerves supplying the face (trigeminal, facial, and vagal), the location of pain in GPN can overlap amongst these supplying regions.

Anatomically Glossopharyngeal Nerve

It is an IXth cranial nerve in an elongated nucleus on the floor of the fourth ventricle. It emerges along the lateral aspect of the medulla. The method to check its effectiveness is ‘Gag Reflex’. Stimulation of the posterior pharyngeal wall by a tongue blade or a cotton applicator results in elevation and constriction of the pharyngeal musculature accompanied by retraction of the tongue.

This reflex is lost in the lesion of the IX nerve. If there is any kind of growth or any malignancy and the patient feels pain in doing it, it may be coined for GPN and a CT scan may be done to completely diagnose it.

Etiology

Till yet, no exact cause is found but possible factors are –

• Any kind of growth at the base of the skull pressing the nerve
• An abnormally positioned artery in the skull further pressing the nerve
• Any inflammation or injury of throat and mouth
• Throat or neck carcinoma
• Some believe that the glossopharyngeal nerve starts sending abnormal messages when the protective sheath of the nerve deteriorates. Their abnormalities disrupt the normal functioning of nerve and thus, stimulates pain.
• Multiple sclerosis
• Oropharyngeal malignancy
• Vascular compression
• Peritonsillar inflammation
• Benign tumors or primary schwannomas
• Hyperexcitability of the glossopharyngeal nerve
• Nerve root compression of vagus nerve rootlets

Symptoms

The pain is an electric type and may occur in paroxysmal attacks. The episodic pain may awaken the person from sleep. Some episodic pain attacks may be associated with cough, sore throat, and usually begins at the back of the tongue or throat and spreads to the ear or back of the jaw.

It typically occurs in individuals above 50 years of age. In rare cases, syncope, cardiac arrest, hypotension, or bradycardia may occur. Some people describe the pain as a burning or jabbing pain or as if a painful and sharp object is lodged in the throat. Swallowing is the trigger factor of pain and cold liquid induces pain. Other rare features –

• Vomiting
• Vertigo
• Tinnitus
• Convulsions
• Involuntary movements

Types of GPN

The international headache society classifies GPN as –

• Classical GPN- episodic pain occurs
• Symptomatic GPN- commoner

The basis of classification is that whether the pain occurs in episodes or there is constant pain.

Ayurvedic View

In Ayurvedic literature, all conditions which can cause pain over the head are included in shiroroga. Acharya Sushruta explained eleven shiroroga. The role of Ayurveda in curing some of these diseases is appreciable since it also compels the patients to avoid nidana and to follow pathyaahar and vihara.

This disease can be correlated in Ayurveda as anantavata.

(Charak Samhita (2) Siddhisthanam. 9/84-85)

In anantavata, there is pain at manya, neck, tingling pain over cheeks, and pain in eyes. All three doshas are involved in the pathology of anantavata.

The chikitsa aims mainly at the pacification of Vata with associated pitta. After Deepana, Pachana and Dehashodhana, Sthanikchikitsa should be done followed by the Vatapittahara diet. Ultimately Vata has to be tackled.

Herbal Remedies for Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia

Planet Ayurveda manufactures its herbal products with strict adherence to ancient Ayurveda. Around 200 months ago, in 2002, the journey of Planet Ayurveda started with the purpose of ‘taking Ayurveda to every home worldwide’. All our herbal supplements are made from natural herbs with ancient time tested formulas. Our herbal products have certificates of authenticity and all products have standardized natural formulas. Each product is made with the purest herbal extracts, enriched from the wisdom of ages and stringently tested for purity and consistency. These herbal supplements are excellent to provide successful management to the disease as well as maintain health.

Planet Ayurveda, one of the leading ayurvedic herbal manufacturing company of north region in India, keeping the above-discussed views of the disease has come up with the following drugs –

1. Avipattikar Churna
2. Boswellia Curcumin
3. Ashwagandha Capsule
4. Yograj Guggul
5. Yashtimadhu Churna

Product Description

1. Avipattikar Churna

Its main ingredients are baheda (Terminalia bellirica), peepal (Ficus religiosa), sonth (Zingiber officinale), haritaki (Terminalia chebula), kali Marich (Piper nigrum), Amalaki (Emblica Officinalis), nagarmotha (Cyperus rotundus), Nishoth (Operculina Turpetnum), Vidanga (Embelia Ribes), ela (Elettaria cardamomum), tejpatta (Laurus nobilis), lavang (Syzgium aromaticum) and Mishri. A deep view over these ingredients makes a clear view that the daily used spices in the kitchen along with some of the herbal drugs improve the digestion power thus this churna acts as a Deepana, Pachana. It helps in balancing the tridoshas mainly pitta dosha.

Dose – 1 teaspoon twice a day with water after meals.

2. Boswellia Curcumin

As the name suggests, it contains two most potent adaptogenic herbs- Boswellia known as Shallaki (Boswellia serrata), and curcumin known as Haridra (Curcuma longa). As per a research published by Neutraceuticals business review, these two herbs together inhibit the production of inflammatory markers and decrease the pain significantly. They are more effective than pain killers which work on cox-2 active receptors.

Dose – 2 caps twice a day after meals with water.

3. Ashwagandha Capsule

Its name already reveals the meaning- one like a horse. Consuming this capsule twice daily gives strength to the nerves and gives the power to run like a horse. Hence it helps in giving overall strength to the body and fights against the GPN.

Dose – 1 cap twice a day after meals with water.

4. Yograj Guggul

It contains shuddh Guggulu (Commiphora Mukul), Adraka (Zingiber officinale), chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica), haritaki (Terminalia chebula), pippali (Piper longum), Mustak (Cyperus rotundus), jeeraka (Zuminum cyminum), anddevadaru (Cedrus deodara). All these herbs work on Vata and aama. It pacifies Vata, treats malabsorption, removes waste toxins from the gut ultimately pacify the formation of gas thus works as a rejuvenative supplement in curing the pain of the head.

Dose – 2 tabs twice a day after meals with water.

5. Yashtimadhu Churna

It contains a sweet root of a very beautiful plant- Glycyrrhiza Glabra known as yashtimadhu, commonly used in the kitchen as Dalchini. It is a remedy to 100’s of health hazards because it is a sheet, pacifies pitta dosha, and ultimately helps in curing all kinds of therapeutic problems and acts as a healing drug.

Dose – half teaspoon once a day with warm water after meals.

Contact Planet Ayurveda Support Team to provide you the costing/ordering and delivery information at – costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or Call at 0172-521-4030 (India), +91-172-521-4030 (Outside India) or Whatsapp at (+91) 9915-593-604.

Conclusion

GPN is a neuropathic disease so following a proper exercise schedule, keeping yourself well hydrated and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and following the above medicinal pack, GPN can be managed successfully and there is no need to depend on pharmacological drugs.