Neuritis
Neuritis, also called peripheral neuropathy, is a serious nerve disorder that involves the inflammation of a single nerve or series of nerves. Neuritis is often associated with degenerative changes in nervous tissue and commonly accompanies other conditions such as neuralgia, tendonitis, bursitis, and arthritis.
Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve. The optic nerve-the nerve that allows you to see by carrying images from your retina to your brain-becomes swollen and the nerve fibers do not work properly. Depending on the number of inflamed nerve fibers, vision can range from normal to very poor.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms for general neuritis may include:
- Painful tingling, burning, and pin-and-needle sensations in the affected nerves
- Numbness, paralysis, and loss of sensation and tone in nearby muscles
- Redness and swelling in the affected nerve area
Signs and symptoms for optic neuritis may include:
- Blurred vision in one or both eyes
- Dim vision
- Abnormal color vision
- Pain in and behind the eyes, particularly when moving the eyes
- A family history of Leber's optic neuropathy
What Causes It?
- Chronic acidosis-a condition in which excessive acid collects in the blood and other body fluids
- Improper diet and lifestyle
- Overwork
- Deficiencies in vitamins B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6, and B12
- Dysfunctional calcium metabolism
- Certain diseases such as malaria, mumps, measles, tuberculosis, diptheria, leprosy, and tetanus
- Complications of diabetes mellitus
- Insecticide, mercury, lead, arsenic, carbon tetrachloride, and/or alcohol poisoning
- Heavy pressure, injury, or trauma to a nerve trunk
- Complications of multiple sclerosis
What to Expect at Your Provider's Office
Your healthcare provider may ask for a detailed history of your health and surrounding environment. Conventionally accepted medical approaches of assessment for this condition may include neurologic examinations that can reveal abnormalities in nerve sensation, movement, and function. Your healthcare provider may choose to perform various blood tests, scans, x-rays, as well as an EMG (a recording of electrical activity in muscles), a nerve conduction test, and a nerve biopsy.
You may be referred to an ophthalmologist if you experience signs and symptoms associated with optic neuritis. In order to see if you have any swelling of the optic nerve, your ophthalmologist may look in the back of your eye with an instrument called an ophthalmoscope. Since optic neuritis can be confused with many other causes of poor vision, other tests such as side vision, color vision, and the reaction of the pupil to light may be conducted.
Under the concepts of functional medicine, assessment is oriented toward determining what is impeding your body's ability to function normally. While some of the conventional medical approaches may help in this determination, they may not necessarily apply to a functional approach. Your healthcare provider will determine which assessment tools are most helpful in establishing a treatment strategy specific to your health needs.
Treatment Options
Treatment of neuritis by certain drugs may give temporary relief, but ultimately, the underlying cause should be addressed in order to prevent future problems with neuritis.
Complementary and Alternative Therapies
A comprehensive treatment plan for neuritis may include a range of complementary and alternative therapies.
Nutrition
The most effective treatment of neuritis is to ensure that patients get optimal nutrition. It is important to increase fluid intake and avoid stimulants such as coffee, caffeine, carbonated beverages, and cigarettes. Along with a diet that includes ample amounts of whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables, the following vitamins and nutrients may be useful:
- Vitamin A and vitamin B1 (thiamin) help to correct the nutritional deficiencies often associated with neuritis.
- Vitamin B12, inositol and gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) are important for maintaining heath of the entire nervous system.
- Lecithin is important for nerve protection and repair.
- Products that contain soy, such as soymilk, have been found to be highly beneficial in the treatment of neuritis symptoms.
Herbs
The following herbal therapies may be useful in alleviating the painful symptoms associated with neuritis:
- Barley grass (Hordeum vulgare)
- Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)
- Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza uralensis)
- Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
- Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis)
Homeopathy
- Magnesia phosphorica
- Kali phophoricum
- Bryonia
- Rhus toxicondendron
- Hypericum perforatum
Acupuncture/Qigong
Qigong exercises may be effective for patients with neuritis. Qigong works to improve the flow of qi, or energies in the body. Qigong professionals believe that the proper quality, distribution, and flow of qiare of utmost importance to the health of the nervous system.
Massage
Massage as well as hot and cold compresses to the painful area may be effective in relieving sharp pain.
Following Up
For the most part, neuritis is not life-threatening. However, if possible, it is important to keep symptoms under control as pain can be unbearably severe and in some cases, debilitating. In most cases of neuritis, early diagnosis and treatment increases the possibility that symptoms can be controlled.
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you start to experience irregular or rapid heartbeats, sudden loss of vision, difficulty breathing or swallowing, and fainting.
Supporting Research
MEDLINEplus Medical Encyclopedia. Peripheral Neuropathy. (n.d.). Retrieved February 27, 2002, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000593.htm
The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.
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