Neurological disorders may creep in due to many reasons. It may be due to degenerative diseases, accidents, other health conditions, birth defects or genetics. The most common form of disorder occurs due to non-functional brain cells in some parts, and loss of myelin sheath in neurons, which protects the nerve signals in their complete transfer from origin to destination. These losses are irreparable, but further degeneration can be avoided with Ayurveda. Panchakarma, the branch of Ayurveda, which deals with detoxification of the body and mind, specially helps. Over a period of time, it can bring back the lost sensation in nerves. Yoga, pranayama and Ayurvedic treatments lead to recovery and relief to a huge extent.

Important facts about Panchakarma
There are 3 important steps in Panchakarma, which are followed one after another to get the result. The main objective of Panchakarma is to detoxify the body. Virechanam, vamanam, sneha vasti, nasyam and kashaya vasti are the 5 folds in Panchakarma.

Poorvakarma or preparing the body, followed by Abhyangam or massage, followed by Elakizhi or herbal paste massage, and finally podikizhi, or steam bathing makes the body ready for receiving further treatments.
Njavara Kizhi is the special treatment done in Panchakarma where the body is given a rice bolus massage to improve the joint and neuro functions.
What is Njavara Kizhi?
Njavara is a variety of rice, which is specially used for Ayurvedic treatment and massages. In this treatment the rice is made into a pudding by boiling it with milk. This pudding is then made into boluses. The boluses are filled in muslin cloth, and then using these muslin bolus dabs, the whole body of the patient is massaged. This full-body massage has excellent effects on neurological and joint functions. The deep tissues within the body are rejuvenated. The treatment is carried on for 45 minutes to 60 minutes by therapists or experts. Another form of the treatment requires the rice to be made into a paste, and then the paste is applied all over the body. But this is more preferred for beautification.

Other effective therapies
Siro Vasti, Kati Vasti, Ela Kizhi and Nasyam are all different forms of Panchakarma treatment, which detoxify the body and mind and rejuvenate the body and nerve functions. But these treatments cannot be conducted on the body on your own. You need a masseur who must be a specialist in Ayurveda to do this for you. Hence contacting Ayurvedic clinics, doctors or experts would be the best to start the treatment.

Neurological Disorder - How Panchkarma Therapies Can Help?

Leading a life with peripheral neuropathy is quite similar to riding a roller coaster. Managing the pain can be frustrating at one time and overwhelming on the other as patients can experience alternating symptoms with debilitating pain. So you should learn about the various treatment options as they can help you go a long way in managing the pain.

The peripheral nerves are considered the longest in the body which extend from the hands to feet. When these nerves are damaged, you may feel some sort of pain, tingling in the hands and feet and even numbness, and these symptoms can even get worse and you may experience stabbing pain with increasing weakness. 

There are many things that you should know about peripheral neuropathy as they would help you to manage the condition much more effectively.

Diabetes is the leading cause of neuropathy: More than 70% of diabetics develop symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. So you should keep your blood sugar within optimum levels as a means of reversing diabetic neuropathy.
A melange of causes behind neuropathy: Though diabetes is the number 1 cause of peripheral neuropathy, other causes include deficiency of vitamin B12, alcoholism, traumatic injury, chemotherapy and exposure to toxic substances. Physicians may find it difficult to pin-point the cause and when this happens. This is often termed as  idiopathic neuropathy .
Medications causing neuropathy: If you are suffering from diabetes and being treated with the drug named metformin, you may develop peripheral neuropathy.
Preventing neuropathy is the most recommended way: While it is the fact that some nerves may potentially get damaged from certain surgeries or injury, peripheral neuropathy can be potentially prevented or sometimes stopped from spreading. As diabetes is a major cause of diabetes, being watchful about your diet and exercising regularly can help you go a long way to prevent diabetes as well as neuropathy.
Pain is not simply confined to a tingling sensation: Though pain and a tingling sensation is the commonest and easiest way of recognising the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, each of your sensory, motor and autonomic nerves can show different set of symptoms that you should be watchful of.
A diet may make the symptoms even worse: You can either help or hurt your nerves with your choice of foods. For improving symptoms, you should avoid food with excessive sugar, refined grains and artificial sweeteners as they may strain your nerves and irritate them further.
Whether you are recently diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy or living with it for many years, understanding a few conditions would help you make informed decisions about your well-being.

Peripheral Neuropathy - 6 Things You Should Know!

Brain tumor refers to the development of unusual cells in the brain or around the nearby tissues and structures. Pediatric Brain Tumor means the development of these unusual cells in the brain of children. There are two types of brain tumors: Benign or non-cancerous and malignant or Cancerous. Tumors like ependymoma and medulloblastoma are quite common among children. The treatment of the tumor is determined by its severity, type, location, age, and overall health of the child. The treatment of Brain Tumor in children is different from the adult s treatment. One should ensure to consult with the pediatrician with the specialty in cancer and neurology. Brain Tumors in children are Primary Brain Tumors that develop in the brain or nearby tissues. This Primary Brain Tumor develops when the usual cells have DNA mutations or alterations. The alterations in the DNA permit the cells to develop and distribute or split with an increased rate and destroy the healthy cells. This leads to the development and collection of unusual cells forming a tumor. In most Primary Brain Tumor cases, the cause is not clear. Children with a family history of the genetic syndrome and Brain Tumor are more prone to the problem.

Symptoms-

The symptoms of the Pediatric Brain Tumor depend upon the severity, location, and type. There are a number of symptoms that are really common and are shared by other diseases. Other than this, there are symptoms which are possibly the signs of Brain Tumor among children. Adults and parents should consult a doctor if they find their children having the symptoms and signs for an unusual time.

Hearing issues

Frequent and severe headache

Fuller fontanel (soft spot) on the baby s skull

Vomiting or nausea

Behavior changes

Seizures

Sudden vision problems like double vision

Abnormal or strange eye movement

Increased heaviness or pressure in the head

Irritability

Slurred speech

Difficulty in swallowing

Weakness

Loss of appetite

Drooping on one side of the face

Difficulty feeding in babies

Loss of sensation on one side of the body

Imbalance or difficulty in balancing

Difficulty in walking

Diagnosis-

The diagnosis for the Pediatric Brain Tumor includes many lab tests. The doctor may initiate with some neurological examination like hearing, vision, reflexes, balance, and coordination. Any abnormality in these tests will lead to further examinations. There are some imaging tests that are used to determine the size and location of the tumor in the brain. These tests include MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), PET (Positron Emission Tomography), and CT (Computerized Tomography). After the confirmation of the presence of a Brain Tumor, the specialist will further move to the Biopsy. It includes the removal of a sample tissue for analysis or testing. The type of biopsy that will be performed on the patient depends upon the location of the tumor. Other than the biopsy, the tumor tissue can be examined for molecular basis and genetic mutations. After that, Drug therapy can be designed according to the individual s requirements. It is important for the doctor and the patient to know if the tumor has been spread through cancer in other parts of the body. If it is true, then the doctor will perform more tests and examinations to know the root and initial location of cancer for further treatment.

Treatment-

The treatment of the Pediatric Brain Tumor is determined by the severity, location, size of the tumor, and age and health of the child. There is a number of treatments available with modern technology but their usage depends upon the patient s requirement.

Surgery that is used when the location of the tumor is approachable via surgery. When the brain tumor is small, it can be completely removed by the surgery. But when the tumor tissues are located nearby sensitive areas of the brain, then the surgery becomes risky and maximum tumor tissues are tried to be removed through surgery. The risk of the surgery depends upon the location of the tumor. An example can be vision loss if it is anywhere near the nerves connected to the eyes.

Targeted Drug Therapy helps to destroy the abnormalities of the cancer cells resulting in the destruction of the cancer cells.

Radiation therapy is used to kill the tumor cells by using high-energy beams. Radiation therapy can either be given by an external machine (external beam radiation) or in exceptional cases, radiation is positioned within the body (brachytherapy) near the tumor.

Chemotherapy includes the consumption of drugs to destroy the tumor cells. These drugs can be consumed in tablet form but for children, the drugs are mostly injected (intravenous chemotherapy).

Stereotactic Radio Surgery includes various radiation beams to perform extremely focused radiation therapy to destroy the tumor cells located in a small part.

Proton Beam Therapy carries higher targeted radiation doses to the tumor cells with minimum exposure of radiation to the healthy cells and tissues. It decreases the chance of development of fresh cancer cells.

Take Away-

Pediatric Brain Tumor is the development of unusual cells in the brain or around it. Although this is a life-threatening problem, however, with advanced technology, it can be treated successfully. There are no specific causes discovered by specialists but genetic mutations and family history cause it. The symptoms can be really common like headache and nausea but can also be specific like difficulty in coordination, reflexes, speech, and many more. The timely diagnosis and treatment can give a new life to the child and reduces the chance of development of fresh tumor cells in the future.

Pediatric Brain Tumor - Know In Detail About It!

Acoustic vestibular schwannoma or the acoustic neuroma is a kind of tumour. But this tumour is benign which means it is non-cancerous. The vestibular nerve connects your ear to your brain, it is responsible for hearing and balancing. An acoustic neuroma develops on the vestibular nerve. And it can cause hearing impairment.

How does acoustic Vestibular Schwannoma occur? 
The vestibular nerve is lined with Schwann cells. Sometimes, these cells start to develop rapidly. This forms a mound on the nerve, it slowly becomes large enough to prod against the brain, and this adversely affects the actions of the brain.

What are the Symptoms?
In the early phases, the tumour does not trigger any symptoms. They begin to manifest once the tumour starts expanding. Here is a list of the symptoms of acoustic vestibular schwannoma-
  Gradual hearing loss
  Misalignment and losing balance
  Ringing in the ears.
  Regions of numbness in your face
Even though these tumours are benign, sometimes they enlarge to such an extent that they can be harmful to the brain. As soon as you witness the above-mentioned symptoms, book an appointment with a doctor.
With timely treatment and medication, doctors can reverse the growth of an acoustic vestibular schwannoma. 

What triggers this Disease?
The exact cause of this disease is not known. It could be any one of the following-
  A chromosomal anomaly or a malfunctioning gene
  Inhibition in the function of the protein suppressor that regulates the growth of Schwann cells

How is Acoustic Vestibular Schwannoma detected?
Your doctor will recommend these tests-

  Audiometry -
The audiologist will present sounds at different frequencies and you will have to make a gesture whenever you hear a sound. This will reveal the state of your hearing.

  Magnetic Resonance Imaging -
An MRI can detect the presence of a tumour that is 1-2 mms in diameter. If MRI causes pain or discomfort, a CT scan will be done.

Treatment -
If the tumour is tiny, your doctor won t prescribe medicines but your tumour will be monitored and imaged regularly so that the proper action can be taken as soon as it begins to enlarge.

  Surgery -
If the tumour is large, then you might have to undergo surgery. Not only will the tumour be removed, but also care will be taken to preserve the facial nerve so that facial paralysis does not set in.
You will be placed under general anaesthesia. The surgeon will drill a small hole in your skull near the ears and extract the tumour through your inner ears.

  Radiation -
If the tumour is small or if the patient is elderly and surgery can cause complications, doctors suggest radiation therapy. In this therapy, gamma rays are directed towards the tumour to shrink it.
Acoustic vestibular schwannoma can be treated if diagnosed on time. So, if you have noticed any symptoms, talk to a doctor right away.

Acoustic Vestibular Schwannoma - All You Must Know About It!

Acoustic neuroma is a benign tumor that occurs in the primary nerve between the brain and the ear. The tumor progresses very slowly and can influence your balance and hearing. In certain cases, if the tumor becomes very large, then it may also impair vital functions of the body.
Symptoms-
The symptoms of acoustic neuroma tend to develop when the tumor starts to press on the nerve and its adjoining branches. The symptoms of this disorder are  
You may experience hearing loss on one side which might worsen gradually.
You may have problems in balancing yourself.
A continuous ringing sound in the ears.
Persistent dizziness.
If the tumor is large and presses on the nearby nerves, then you may experience numbness of the facial muscles.
In some cases, it may impair the vital functions of the body.
This disorder is caused by a malfunctioning gene. There is no documented reason as to why the gene malfunctions.
The treatment options for this disorder are  
Constant Monitoring: These tumors tend to grow very slowly but might spurt in some cases. In order to prevent damage to your body, they need to be monitored on a regular basis. Imaging tests are recommended on a periodic basis to determine the growth of the tumor.
Radiosurgery: Stereotactic radiosurgery is done to treat acoustic neuroma that is small in size. In this surgery, radiation is directed at the tumor without creating any incision. It is done to limit the growth of the tumor and preserve your hearing.
Surgery: The tumor can be removed by using surgical procedures. It involves administering general anesthesia, followed by removing the tumor through an incision on the skull or the inner ear. Surgery is used to remove the tumor and preserve your hearing abilities. 

Acoustic Neuroma - Everything You Need to Know

Trigeminal neuralgia is specified by the condition of a chronic pain that influences the trigeminal nerve. This nerve transfers sensation from one s face to his/her brain. If a person is suffering from trigeminal neuralgia, then a gentle stimulation of face (sourced from brushing teeth or applying makeup) might generate a fright of agonizing pain. The affected person might experience short and mild attacks initially. However, the trigeminal neuralgia might progress and generate more-frequently and longer attack of severely critical pain. Women get affected by this situation more than men get and it is more prominently occur in individuals older than 50 years.

Trigeminal neuralgia does not mandatorily mean that you need to experience a lifelong pain. Various types of treatment alternatives are available and so doctors can usually handle the particular condition effectively by taking help of injections, medications or surgery. Various types of triggers might cause the pain regarding trigeminal neuralgia, such as eating, drinking, shaving, brushing teeth, touching face, smiling, washing face etc.

Symptoms

The symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia might comprise of one or more patterns and some of these are described below:

Sequences of serious, jolting or shooting pain that might generate as an electric shock
Spontaneous pain attacks or attacks stimulated by different activities like face touching, speaking, chewing, or brushing teeth. Pain attacks last from a few moments to some minutes.
It is not a comprehensive list because Trigeminal neuralgia hosts various other symptoms as well. If a person feels facial pain, specifically recurring or prolonged pain or if the person does not get relief through the utilization over-the-counter pain relievers, then that person must consult a doctor.
How does Radiofrequency Ablation treat Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Trigeminal Neuralgia is a chronic and painful condition that involves the trigeminal nerve. There are two separate trigeminal nerves on both sides of the face, which carry the sensations like pain from the face to the body. Each nerve has three branches- forehand, midface and chin and trigeminal neuralgia can cause intense pain in any of these areas.

Causes-

This occurs when the trigeminal nerve functioning is disrupted. When the blood vessel/artery and the trigeminal nerve at the base of your brain come in contact, it puts pressure on the nerves and causes pain.
It also occurs as a result of ageing or multiple sclerosis
A disorder that damages the myelin sheath protecting the nerves can trigger pain
Sometimes pain occurs from tumors, which compresses the trigeminal nerves
Surgical strokes, facial trauma or strokes can also be the root cause of excruciating pain
Triggers-

Shaving
Touching your face
Eating and drinking
Putting on makeup
Brushing
Washing your face
Symptoms-
The pain can be mild and for a shorter duration or it can happen frequently for longer durations. Some experience the pain in cycles where it can come and go for days or even for weeks. Gradually the intensity of the pain lessens.

Cure by Radio-frequency Ablation
The treatment of trigeminal neuralgia is often a challenging process in clinical practice. When medicines do not prove as effective, surgery is the desired option.

Procedure-

After applying local anaesthesia, the Pain Specialist carefully inserts a needle through the corner of your mouth to reach the trigeminal nerve
The doctors then wake up the patient after stimulating the nerves and ask them to feel the stimulation at the same place where they undergo pain. This confirms their targeted location
Once you fall asleep again, the Pain Specialist uses radiofrequency heat to injure the nerve enough to create numbness and removes the pain
How Effective is Radio-frequency Ablation?
The pain is cured almost in 98% of the patients. 50% of patients report recurrence of pain after about two years. Hence the procedure can be repeated in the same patient if necessary.

Trigeminal Neuralgia And Radio-Frequency Ablation - What Causes It?

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