Trigeminal Neuralgia
Authored by: Dr. Luca Gabriele Punziano
ABSTRACT
Trigeminal neuralgia (or “tic Doloreux”) is a painful syndrome characterized by acute attacks of intense, stabbing pain, similar to an electric shock, in the facial region.
The pain usually affects only one side of the face, corresponding to the fronto-orbital surface, the cheek, and/or the jaw. The symptoms often happen when you do simple things that involve using the muscles to open and close your mouth, or when your face is touched in a sensitive way.
Initially, pain attacks may be mild and short-lived, interspersed with prolonged periods of well-being. But, the intensity, frequency, and duration of attacks increase progressively over time. The typical symptoms result from irritation of the trigeminal nerve.
INTRODUCTION
Trigeminal neuralgia has a prevalence of 2-6 people per 100,000 inhabitants and an incidence of 4-20/100,000/year, with a higher rate in countries with more appropriate healthcare (where the diagnosis is more easily performed and epidemiological studies are obviously better). The ratio of females to males is approximately 3:1. The second and third branches are more frequently affected.
Classic neuralgia syndrome can occur in adults of any age, but it occurs more commonly after the age of 50, with a peak incidence between the age group of 60 and 70.
This case study demonstrates how a good integration of non-conventional and integrated medicine can resolve the symptoms very well, allowing the patient to maintain a good quality of life.
CASE PRESENTATION
The patient, born and living in Tuscany, is a 53-year-old school principal and has suffered from trigeminal neuralgia for 15 years. His general conditions are good; he only has a mild monoclonal gammopathy which does not require medical therapy.?
He refuses to use drugs and, following a neurological examination, was offered a Carbamazepine-based therapy. However, the patient chose to be examined by me to assess the potential benefits of a non-conventional natural therapy. He then underwent ten sessions of acupuncture with traditional Chinese medicinal herbs spread over a year.
DISCUSSION
The patient came to the office with severe pain on the left side of the face, especially at the tongue level. This made it hard to chew and the symptoms got worse when exposed to cold and humidity. The onset of the symptoms was probably due to dental surgery for periodontal disease. He was very disheartened but was also open to participating and believed in the effectiveness of the therapy I suggested.
In traditional Chinese medicine, trigeminal neuralgia is thought to be caused by a deficiency of the yin of the Kidney, which is responsible for supporting the peripheral nervous system. According to this belief, the peripheral nervous system is the first to be affected when the kidney is deficient. A deficiency in the kidney can occur when a person undergoes significant physical and emotional stress, especially in women entering menopause.
I then explained to him how traditional Chinese medicines work, and after carefully examining his medical records, I proposed he continue a cycle of ten acupuncture sessions, distributed over a year and also accompanied by a herbal product called LIU WI DI HUANG WAN, aimed at supporting the function of the kidney and consisting of the following products:
I also decided to add 200 mg of Carbamazepine for a short period. The patient was instructed to take one tablet four times a day for three months, and then reduce the dosage by one tablet every three months. After a year, the patient had completely recovered.
With an annual follow-up consisting of three Acupuncture sessions for five years, the patient is now in good health and making the most of his retirement.
CONCLUSION
In this case study, traditional Chinese medicine has proven to be just as effective as Western conventional medicine.?
The case study also highlights the crucial need for integrating both medical methodologies and showcases the importance of a comprehensive, compassionate, and interdisciplinary clinical approach.
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