A Case Report on Ayurvedic Management of Anantavata w.r.t to Trigeminal Neuralgia

Abstract

In conditions like Anantavata (a condition caused by simultaneous aggravation of all three Doshas, marked by severe pain in the head and facial region), where all three Doshas are simultaneously aggravated, patients experience intense pain in the neck, eyes, brows and temples, accompanied by pulsating discomfort in the cheeks and restricted jaw movement. Trigeminal neuralgia, a condition characterized by recurrent, unilateral, electric shock-like pain confined to the trigeminal nerve's divisions, often presents with sudden onset and abrupt cessation, and can be triggered by otherwise innocuous stimuli. Patient information: A 74-year-old female patient presented with a longstanding history of severe, shock-like pain localized to the left side of her face. Therapeutic intervention: To evaluate the effectiveness of Ayurvedic therapies in such cases, a single case study was conducted focusing on Nasya (therapeutic nasal administration of medicated oils) as a treatment modality for Anantavata in the context of trigeminal neuralgia. The selected treatment regimen was administered consistently over a period of eight consecutive days. Results: The outcome of this therapeutic intervention was systematically observed and documented to evaluate its effectiveness in alleviating the patient's symptoms- particularly focusing on the intensity, frequency and duration of facial pain. Over the course of the eight-day treatment, the patient showed a marked reduction in pain severity and frequency, along with noticeable improvements in jaw movement and facial muscle relaxation. By the end of the treatment period, significant and consistent relief was observed in all major signs and symptoms. Conclusion: Based on the present case study, it can be concluded that the Nasya karma along with oral medicines can be used as potential therapeutic protocol in managing Anantavata as correlated with trigeminal neuralgia, offering a complementary approach to conventional treatment strategies.