Ayurvedic Intervention in the Management of Anantavata W.S.R. to Trigeminal Neuralgia

Abstract

Trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by intense, stabbing, electric shock-like pain in the lower face and jaw caused due to irritation of the trigeminal nerve. Anantavata is among 11 types of sirorogas explained by Acharya Susruta. It is Vatapradhana sannipatika disease. Although it causes most excruciating pain to the patient, it is classified under sadhya vyadhi. TN has a higher incidence in women than men. Siravedha and Vata-Pitta shaman are mainly indicated in treatment of Anantavata. Nasya, lepa, parisheka, kavalagraha, shirovasti effectively pacify all the three doshas vitiated in shirah pradesh; thereby reducing pain. Acute pain episodes of trigeminal neuralgia can be managed with nasya karma, ksheera dhooma, ghrita pana, lepa and karna poorana. Patient is advised to consume food processed with large quantity of milk and ghrita. Oral medications along with local application of Ayurveda therapies produce significant relief in pain. All these modalities pacify the vitiated Vata dosha, eventually controlling the other two doshas. Anti-convulsant medications are always the first line of treatment for trigeminal neuralgia. Surgery is mainly indicated in patients who experience pain despite best medical management. Microvascular decompression (MVD) is the most invasive surgical procedure for treating trigeminal neuralgia, but has much lower success rates or may worsen the pain in many cases. Trigeminal neuralgia cannot be cured permanently. The main aim of treatment is to alleviate the debilitating pain. Ayurvedic treatment modalities like nasya karma, ghrita pana, lepa and karna poorana give salutiferous effects by breaking the samprapti of disease on the whole