Whats is Allodynia? – Causes, Symptoms, and Ayurvedic Treatment

ABSTRACT

Allodynia is a nervous system disorder in which there is pain sensation only due to any stimuli and pain does not provoke normally without stimulus. It is not a life threatening condition but it may affect day to day lifestyle activities. Allodynia may mimic hyperalgesia, in which there is exaggerated response to painful touch/ stimuli. So allodynia can be misdiagnosed with hyperalgesia but hyperalgesia is more painful. This condition may lead to anxiety, restlessness or other mental health issues.

The severity of allodynia depends on symptoms and other associated diseases. With all these no particular treatment is done as pain management is done and lifestyle changes. It results from several conditions such as diabetes, fibromyalgia, diabetes, etc. This disease affects 15- 50% of neuropathic pain. From this condition women are affected more than men due to hormonal changes in females. The only management done to cure this disease is reducing pain. This condition can be triggered by touch of bed sheets, hands, light touch, brushing hairs even features also and this pain is frequently associated with fibromyalgia. Persons who are migraine patients are most frequently affected by allodynia. In this article we will discuss signs, symptoms, causes, diagnosis of allodynia and its management according to ancient classical texts.

INTRODUCTION- WHAT IS PFIC?

Allodynia is a condition of neuropathic pain, in which pain occurs due to response to any touch/ sensation (stimuli). People with such conditions are even sensitive to touch (hypersensitive reaction). The function of nerves in our body is to send messages to different parts of the body and control all pain sensation. This condition may affect persons associated with diabetes, migraine, fibromyalgia, neuromyalgia.

Allodynia can be of different types such as somebody feels pain due to thermal conditions (cold or hot), mechanical touch and tactile touch (even due to light pressure). The person who experiences pain on stimuli which only causes sensation is a person suffering from allodynia. The exact pathology behind allodynia is unknown as there is some defect in nerve conduction producing sharp pain response. It can involve both the peripheral and central nervous system. As nighttime temperature falls, blood circulation slows down and there is an increase in pain sensation. It may result due to past trauma or injury and may be due to some idiopathic reason. Stress and tissue damage causing muscle inflammation can cause allodynia. Plenty of exercise regularly can decrease stress related to this condition and improves quality of life (physically and psychologically).

CAUSES

The exact cause behind allodynia is unknown but some of causative factors are as following

• Peripheral neuropathy
• Fibromyalgia
• Multiple sclerosis
• Migraine
• Chemotherapy
• Diabetes
• Post therapeutic neuralgia
• Nerve damage
• Diabetic neuropathic pain

SYMPTOMS

The sign and symptoms for allodynia are as follows-

• Pain ( from non-painful stimuli)
• Anxiety
• Disturbed sleep
• Fatigue , malaise
• Depression
• Decreased concentration
• Trouble sleeping
• Sore throat
• Nausea
• Delayed onset of pain
• If migraine- painful headache, decrease vision, sensitive to light.
• Burning, intermittent, stabbing and throbbing features

TYPES

There are three types of allodynia

1. Dynamic (Pain from objects)
2. Static      (Pain on soft touch)
3. Thermal  (Pain from hot/ cold)

DIAGNOSIS

Allodynia is not any serious disorder, it is only a symptom which can be diagnosed by general examination. Most of the patients diagnose themselves when they are sensitive to touch/ pain.

• Medical history
• Clinical examination

Additional investigations-

• CBC (Complete blood count)
• MRI
• CT scan
• Electromyography (EMG)
• Neuronal functional tests
• Sensitivity test
• Neuron conduction

MANAGEMENT

The treatment of allodynia depends on the underlying cause. Preventive measures can reduce severity and frequency of pain. Some basic line of treatment are as following-

• Oral medications 
• Local ointments
• Pain management
• Opioids 
• Lifestyle changes
• analgesics
• NSAIDS
• Anticonvulsants
• Nerve blockers 
• Psychological therapy
• Physical therapy

AYURVEDIC POINT OF VIEW REGARDING ALLODYNIA

In Ayurveda allodynia can be correlated with “shoola” (pain). In classical texts shoola/ pain occurs when there is predominance of vata dosha among all doshas (vata, pitta and kapha). In Ayurveda there are eighty types of vata disorders and vata is one of them.

Causes according to Ayurveda

• Intake of less, light or cold food
• Fasting
• Over exercise
• Stress, fear
• Injury
• Suppression of urges ( like hunger, thirst)

Treatment according to Ayurveda- (Panchakarma procedures)

• Snehan (oleation)
• Sweden (sudation)
• Sanshodhan ( mridu- mild purgative)
• Enema ( medicated basti)
• Panchakarma procedures

Some herbs effective in shoola are

• Rasna (Pluchea lanceolata)
• Errand (Ricinus communis)
• Nirgundi (Vitex negundo)
• Bala (Sida cordifolia)
• Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR ALLODYNIA BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Planet Ayurveda is a well certified and authorized manufacturing unit, which produces all herbal and natural products. All the herbal formulations prepared here are from ancient classical Ayurveda texts by Acharya’s. Planet Ayurveda produces products which are chemical free, no artificial preservative is added, no color, starch, yeast added. The best combination of herbal remedies for allodynia provided by Planet Ayurveda are as following-

1. Boswellia curcumin
2. Neurogenie capsules
3. Maha rasnadi kwath
4. Vrihat vatchintamani ras
5. Vata balance

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1. Boswellia Curcumin

It is a standardized capsule formulation prepared from extract of shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and haridra (Curcuma longa). It has anti-inflammatory activity and neuro protective properties. It also helps in reducing pain related to disorders like arthritis or any joint disorder. It reduces stiffness and improves flexibility.

Dosage- One capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.

2. Neurogenie capsules

It is standardized capsule preparation, prepared from extract of brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) and ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). These capsules prevent anxiety, stress and balances mind calmness. It acts as a powerful antioxidant and anti- inflammatory. They increase nerves and muscle strength.

Dosage- One capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.

3. Maha Rasnadi Kwath

This is a standardized decoction formulation mentioned in Ayurveda classical texts and prepared from extract of javasa (Alhagi pseudalhagi), bala (Sida cordifolia), errand (Ricinus communis), devdaru (Cedrus deodara), etc. This decoction mainly acts on vata dosha and increases production of new cells. It is effective in all types of pain as it relaxes muscles and reduces inflammation.

Dosage- Two tablespoons mixed with equal amounts of water, twice daily after meals.

4. Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras

It is a tablet formulation mentioned in ancient classical texts. It is prepared from swarna bhasma, abhrak bhasma, loha, rajat and bhasma (ash of gold, silver, iron, etc.). These tablets mainly act on predominant vata dosha. It is very effective in all neurological conditions such as muscle twitching, stiffness, paralysis, all types of pain etc.

Dosage- One tablet once daily with plain water after meals.

5. Vata Balance

Vata balance is a capsule preparation prepared from extract of bilwa (Aegle marmelos), shyonak (Oroxylum indicum), patla (Stereospermum suaveolens), agnimanth (Clerodendrum phlomidis), etc. All the herbs present in it act particularly on vitiated vata dosha and act as analgesics. These capsules work on anxiety, fear, emotions, joy and stability.

Dosage- One capsule twice daily with plain water

Contact my assistant to provide you the costing / ordering and delivery information at – costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or call at +91-172-5214040

CONCLUSION

Allodynia is a type of nerve pain which can be triggered by any touch or normal stimuli (warmth, pressure, stroking). It is a rare condition and commonly affects people with neuropathic pain. This condition does not affect a person’s health but may disturb day to day routine activities. So you can follow the above guidelines for any concern, these formulations will definitely work. If any severity in condition may consult a physician or team of planet Ayurveda.