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DISORDERS
(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,
causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)
Disorder: NEURITIS
Description: Neuritis is an inflammation of a nerve or group of nerves. It can occur anywhere in the body such as sciatic nerve (buttocks or down the leg) or the optic nerve (eye).
Symptoms: Muscle weakness and atrophy, loss of sensation, and loss of reflexes. Muscles served by the affected nerve are usually quite tender to pressure. Pain may be mild or severe, constant or intermittent, burning, tingling or stabbing forms of discomfort. Neuritis can begin rapidly, especially in cases caused by severe and/or chronic infection or by alcohol intoxication, but that is not the norm. Symptoms usually develop slowly and can include pain, tingling, and loss of sensation in the affected nerve area; swelling and redness; and, in severe cases, convulsions. The onset is not always readily apparent. Often, a person may compensate for the muscle weakness by overusing unaffected muscles.
Incidence: Neuritis can occur in persons of any age and either sex, but the incidence is highest in men between the ages of thirty and fifty.
Causes: The causes of neuritis are varied and are often associated with disease such as diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, pressure from tumor, nutrient deficiency, metabolic imbalance, gout, leukemia, infection involving a nerve, alcohol abuse, heavy metal toxicity, or direct trauma such as a direct blow or nearby bone fracture. Optic neuritis occurs when inflammation affects the optic nerve of the eye, causing gradual or sudden blurring and loss of vision. In severe cases, blindness may occur, although this is usually temporary, especially with prompt treatment.
Treatments: The underlying cause must first be identified and corrected. Treatment consists of pain relief measures, rest, and physical therapy. In severe cases, electrotherapy may be recommended to stimulate nerves and muscles. Removal of toxic agents and appropriate nutritional supplementation can improve the condition.
Nutrients:
Supplement Dosage Comments
|
Essential fatty acids |
As directed on label. |
To rebuild and repair nerve damage. |
|
Vitamin B Complex |
100 mg. daily and up |
Deficiencies are common. Use a high-stress formula. Intramuscular injections are best in acute conditions. |
|
Lecithin granules or Lecithin capsules |
2 tbsp. Twice daily, with meals 2400 mg. twice daily, with meals |
Important in nerve protection and repair |
|
Multivitamin and mineral complex with Vitamin A and Natural beta carotene |
As directed on label |
Nutritional deficiencies are common. Neuritis is often the first sign. Use a high-potency formula. If you have diabetes, use a formula without beta-carotene. |
|
Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids |
3,000-6,000 mg. daily in divided doses. |
Has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties and is necessary for nerve impulse transmission. |
|
Calcium And Magnesium |
2,000 mg. daily. 400-1,000 mg. daily. |
Important in never impulse conduction. |
|
Free-form amino acid complex |
As directed on label. |
Necessary in nerve repair and function. |
|
Grape seed extract |
As directed on label. |
A powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. |
Herbs:
 | Combine equal parts of the tinctures of St. John’s
Wort, skullcap, oat and Siberian ginseng. Take one teaspoonful of this mixture
three times a day. This may be made stronger if there is much pain by the
addition of valerian or Jamaican dogwood.
| Peppermint oil can be applied externally as a mild
local anesthetic.
| Bilberry, calendula, chamomile, marshmallow root,
yarrow and yucca have anti-inflammatory properties and can be helpful in the
management of neuritis. | |
Recommendations:
| Eat a diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, nuts,
seeds and whole grains.
| Get some type of mild exercise daily to relieve nerve
trauma and oxygenate tissues.
| Avoid stimulates such as coffee, carbonated beverages,
caffeine and cigarettes.
| If you are having a problem with your vision that
suggests optic neuritis, see your physician immediately. Prompt treatment is
essential.
| Increase your intake of fluids. | |
Considerations:
| Some people with neuritis have benefited from osteopathy, a form of medicine that combines physical therapy, joint manipulation, and postural education. |
Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:
|
Product No. 59618- |
Description |
Comments |
Cost |
|
F9359 NP |
EFA (Essential Fatty Acids) |
As directed on label. |
$10.95/60 |
|
890-15 |
Vitamin B Complex 100 mg. tabs. |
As directed on label. |
$8.95/100 |
|
122-00 |
Lecithin granules |
2 tbsp. Twice daily, with meals |
$7.25/14 oz. |
|
982-15 |
One a Day Maximum Tabs. |
As directed on label. |
$6.95/100 |
|
970-12 |
Vitamin C 1000 mg. with rose hips tabs. |
1 tablet 3 times daily |
$5.75/60 |
|
091-15 |
Citrus bioflavonoids tabs. 1000 mg. |
1 tablet 3 times daily |
$5.95/100 |
|
112-17 |
Calcium Oyscal 500 mg. with D tabs. |
2 tablets twice daily |
$5.75/120 |
|
232-15 |
Magnesium caps. 200 mg. |
2 capsules twice daily |
$4.95/100 |
|
NS6ONS |
Amino Acid Free form 600 mg. caps. |
As directed on label. |
$17.95/100 |
|
222-12 |
Grape seed extract 150 mg. plus bioflavonoid |
As directed on label. |
$32.95/60 |
Sources:
Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2nd Edition
By James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.
Alternative Medicine, the Definitive GuideCompiled by The Burton Goldberg Group
