Natural Treatment of Oromandibular Dystonia

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder with the manifestation of sustained severe involuntary muscle contractions which lead to rhythmic and atypical movements in different parts of the body. The type of dystonia that includes the oral cavity is known as oromandibular dystonia. It is a rare focal neurological disorder that affects mouth, face, jaws and pharynx. This can be a disabling condition involving masticatory, facial, lingual and lip muscles with variable severity. It can occur alone or with other generalized or focal dystonia. Other names are: cranial dystonia, orofacio-mandibular dystonia, orofacial-buccal dystonia, jaw dystonia, and adult onset focal dystonia. When oromandibular dystonia occurs along with blepharospasm (spasm of eyelids), it may be referred to as Meige’s syndrome.

Classification of Oromandibular Dystonia

Based on the type of movement involved, it can be classified as:

• Jaw opening
• Jaw closing
• Jaw deviating
• Lingual
• Combination of one or more as above

Based on onset, it can be divided as:

• Primary- It may be idiopathic or inherited.
• Secondary- It may occur due to any diseases or intake of certain Also, it can be due to any trauma or post a surgery.

Primary as well as secondary oromandibular dystonias may lead to temporomandibular joint syndrome.

Signs and Symptoms of Oromandibular Dystonia

The clinical presentations are subjected to change depending on the affected muscles, severity and distribution of dystonia.

General Symptoms Include:

• Orofacial disfiguration
• Oral functions may be compromised.
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Slurred speech or speech impairment
• Tongue protrusion
• Tongue curling and drooling
• Lip pursing and difficulty in chewing
• Muscular tension or tiredness may be present.
• Headache and facial pain
• Dental problems
• Breathing difficulties may be present which are very less often.
• Jaw closure type is associated with trismus (jaw clenching) and bruxism (tooth grinding). This type of bruxism usually stops while sleeping.
• Eating dysfunction may gradually lead to substantial weight loss

The symptoms can worsen with emotional factors. Stress and depression can be by-products of dystonia. Moreover, people suffering from these types of dystonias are subjected to social embarrassment owing to their cosmetic disfigurement.

Risk Factors of Oromandibular Dystonia

The Risk Factors of Oromandibular Dystonia are as Follows:

• Family history of tremors
• Any associated movement disorders
• Excessive usage of neuroleptic drugs
• Peripheral nerve injury
• Onset usually occurring between 40-70 years
• Women are more prone

Diagnosis of Oromandibular Dystonia

Even though diagnostic criteria and management methods are multidisciplinary, diagnosis is mostly done on the basis of patient information, history and other neurological examinations. Laboratory tests are normal in most cases. Confirmation is mostly done by Intramuscular EMG (Electromyography).

Treatment of Oromandibular Dystonia

Treatment procedures vary from individual to individual and are highly customized. Generally, in modern medicine, following treatment is being provided but due to their adverse effects on health, people are now moving towards the substitutes. General treatment is as follows:

• It may include drugs, injections and physiotherapy. Botulinum injections are most effective in jaw closure type of dystonia. Side effects are common with these and weakness may occur to injected muscles.
• Surgery is performed in people with severe dystonia to stabilize the nerves or certain brain regions.
• Speech and swallowing therapy may help in lessening the spasms, strengthening of muscles and facilitate speech and swallowing.
• Different sensory tricks may work for different people.

The above ways of treatment only suppress the symptoms, Ayurveda can be considered as a better alternative.

Ayurvedic View

In Ayurveda, oromandibular dystonia can be related to the ‘hanugraha’ or ‘hanusthambha’ as quoted in the Charka Samhita. Vata dosha gets aggravated in the mamsa (muscle) dhatu thereby causing various types of dystonia. Along with bahya chikitsa (external therapies) like snehana (oleation), swedana (sudation) etc., internal Ayurvedic medications are also used for its treatment. Mainly vata-kapha doshahara medications are preferred.

Herbal Remedies From Planet Ayurveda for Oromandibular Dystonia

Several effective Ayurvedic formulations are available from Planet Ayurveda for the treatment of Oromandibular dystonia. These are 100% pure without any adulterants and made strictly under the supervision of expert Ayurveda physicians. These are:

1. Rasraj Ras
2. Yograj Guggul
3. Vrihat vatchintamani Ras
4. Boswellia curcumin
5. Dhanwantharam Capsule

Product Description

1. Rasraj Ras

It is a classical Ayurvedic formulation from Planet Ayurveda in tablet form containing minerals and herbs. It is very effective in neuro-muscular conditions like Oromandibular D The ingredients are Rasa sindura (purified and processed mercury), Abhrak satva (purified and processed silica), Swarna bhasma (purified ash of gold), Loha bhasma (purified fine powder of iron), Rajata bhasma (purified ash of silver), vanga bhasma (purified ash of tin), Ashwagandha powder (Withania somnifera), Lavanga powder (Syzygium aromaticum), Javitri powder (Myristica fragrans), Ksheera Kakoli powder (Fritillaria roylei), and Kakamachi juice (Solanum nigrum). These tablets strengthen the nerves and muscles.

Dosage- 1 twice daily to be chewed with little amount of milk, after the meals.

2. Yograj Guggul

It is a Guggulu preparation from Planet Ayurveda whose main ingredient is shuddha (Pure) Guggulu which is almost 50% of its weight. The other ingredients include Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica), Pippali (Piper longum), Vidanga (Embelia ribes), Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris), shunthi (Zingiber officinale) etc. It is antispasmodic and muscle relaxant. All these herbs together help in preventing muscle cramping and are very effective in pain disorders. This medicine rejuvenates and strengthens the skeletal and neuro-muscular system and is very useful in the treatment of Oromandibular Dystonia.

Dosage- 2 twice daily with plain water, after the meals.

3. Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras

It is an herbal tablet from Planet Ayurveda which is mainly used in pacifying Vata dosha as in disorders like oromandibular dystonia. The ingredients are swarna bhasma (calx of gold), Rajata bhasma (calx of silver), Abhrak bhasma (calx of mica), Loha bhasma (calx of iron), Pravala bhasma (calx of coral), Suta bhasma (compound prepared from purified and processed mercury and Sulphur) and sufficient quantity of aloe vera juice.

Dosage- 1 twice daily to be chewed with little milk, after meals.

4. Boswellia Curcumin

It is an effective combination of Boswellia and Curcumin extracts, prepared by Planet Ayurveda. It works well on bones, muscles and joints and used well in the treatment of oromandibular dystonia. It helps in relieving muscular stiffness and increases mobility.

Dosage- 1 twice daily with normal water, after meals.

5. Dhanvantari Gutika (Vati)

Dhanvantari Vati from Planet Ayurveda is used as an effective remedy in different types of D The main ingredients are Ela (Elettaria cardamomum), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Jati (Jasminum officinale), Brihati (Solanum indicum), Kiratatiktha (Swertia chirata), Jeeraka (Cuminum cyminum), Kakkola (Piper cubeba), Bhunimba (Andrographis paniculata), Rudraksha (Elaeocarpus ganitrus) and several others. The ingredients pacify vata aggravation and improve blood circulation in the body.

Dosage- 1 twice daily with jeera (cumin) water, after the meals.

Conclusion

As discussed above in this article, Oromandibular dystonia is a condition having facial disfigurement & difficulty in breathing, speaking & even in swallowing. It’s an uncomfortable situation for both the patient as well as for the physician to treat. Despite going for various injections or cosmetic surgeries which create a long list of side effects, one must adopt an Ayurvedic line of treatment for better results and health.