Neuritis

Neuritis is the inflammation of a nerve or nerves, usually associated with a degenerative process with neuralgia of the affected area. Neuralgia is severe sharp pain along the course of a nerve.

Causes

Mechanical factors, compression, contusion, trauma. Infections: localized involving direct infection of nerves or may accompany diseases such as leprosy, tetanus, tuberculosis, malaria, or measles. Toxins: poisoning by heavy metals (arsenic, lead, mercury), alcohol, or carbon tetrachloride. Metabolic factors: thiamin deficiency, gastrointestinal dysfunction, diabetes, or toxemia of pregnancy. Vascular: peripheral vascular disease. Also gout, diabetes, leukemia, or ingestion of methyl alcohol. Optic neuritis is the inflammation of the optic nerve in the eye, causing gradual or sudden blurred vision. In severe cases, temporary blindness may occur for a few days. The eye may be painful. Exposure to dampness and cold with resultant infection, dental decay, lack of proper diet, eye strain, and infections around the nose are possible causes.

Neuralgia may be caused by pressure on the nerve trunks, faulty nerve nutrition, toxins, or neuritis. Usually no causes can be detected.

Symptoms

Pain and loss of sensation in the affected nerve area; swelling, redness, and in severe cases, convulsions.

Neuralgia in the part of body affected; may or may not have muscular atrophy of part supplied by the nerve involved, paralysis, or lack of reflexes. Minor cases of neuralgia are localized and the cause may be temporary or long lasting, but have no detectable causes. Often goes away without treatment, especially if the neuralgia was caused by trauma, stress, overwork, etc.

Treatment

Bedrest. Motion exercises. Remove causative factors if they are known. Promote dietary therapy for metabolic disorders. Avoid application of temperature extremes to the affected areas. Daily skin care and massage. Hot and cold compresses to painful area may be effective. Cold treatments should be kept short.

Nutrients

Lecithin, taken as directed with meals, is important to nerve protection and repair. Multivitamin and mineral complex with high vitamin A, taken as directed on the label, corrects nutritional deficiency, common in neuritis. Neuritis is often the first sign of this deficiency. Thiamin, 100 mg. twice daily, helps alleviate the thiamin deficiency that is common in neuritis. Vitamin B complex, 100 mg. daily, deficiency is common. (injections are the best). Calcium chelate, 2,000 mg daily, is important in nerve impulse conduction. Magnesium chloride, 400-1,000 mg per day, is important in nerve impulse conduction. Protein (free form amino acids), taken as directed on the label, is necessary in nerve repair and function. Proteolytic enzymes, taken 3 times a day on an empty stomach, are potent anti-inflammatory agents. Brewer's Yeast, taken as directed on the label, contains all essential nutrients and protein. Vitamin C plus bioflavonoids, 3,000-6,000 mg. daily in divided doses, has antiviral and anti-inflammatory potential. Zinc, 50-80 mg. per day, is important in immune function.

Herbs

Balsam fir
Barberry
Bearberry (uva ursi)
Beech leaves
Betony, wood
Birch, black or sweet
Bitter root
Bitter sweet
Black snakeroot
Blessed thistle
Blood root
Boneset
Bull nettle
Capsicum
Catnip
Celandine
Chamomile, flowers
Cheese plant, German
Clover, red
Cohosh, black
Cohosh, blue
Couch grass
Cowslip
Crowfoot
Dandelion
Eucalyptus
Evening primrose
Fennel seed
Fern, sweet, twigs
Flag, blue
Galangal
Ginger, Jamaica
Ginseng
Grape, Rocky Mountain
Gravel root
Hops
Horseradish, grated
Hound's tongue
Indian hemp, black
Jasmine, yellow
Juniper berries
Lady's slipper
Laurel, mountain
Lemon
Lettuce, wild
Linden
Marshmallow root
Mayapple root
Motherwort
Mullein
Nerve root
Nettle
Origanum
Passionflower
Peppermint
Plantian
Poke root
Poplar bark
Prickly ash bark
Queen of the meadow
Rosemary
Saffron
St. John's wort
Sanicle
Skullcap
Solomon's seal
Star root
Sumach berries
Sweet flag
Tamarack
Thistle leaves
Thyme
Twin leaf
Valerian
Vervain
Violet
Water pepper
Willow, white, bark
Wintergreen, leaves
Witch hazel
Yam, wild

Recommendations

Increase fluid intake and avoid stimulants such as coffee, caffeine, carbonated beverages, and cigarettes.

A diet of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains is desirable.