Temporal Arteritis : Homeopathic Remedies for Symptomatic Relief

Temporal arteritis refers to a condition in which inflammation or damage of temporal arteries (that run along both sides of the head and supply blood to the head) occurs. Since it is a serious condition that can have severe complications, homeopathic remedies for temporal arteritis should be considered along with conventional treatment 

Another name for this condition is giant cell arteritis. In this condition, when the cells of the inflamed arteries are looked under microscope they look giant that’s why it is called giant cell arteritis. Though temporal arteritis most commonly affects temporal arteries but it can also occur in other arteries like thoracic arteries.

Serious complications can occur in this condition if it is not treated quickly, so immediate medical help should be seeked in these cases. 

Causes 

In this condition there occurs inflammation and swelling of the lining of arteries. As a result the blood vessels get narrow due to which there is a decrease in amount of blood flow to body tissues. When blood flow is reduced the tissues get deprived of oxygen and nutrients.

It can occur in any medium or large artery but the most commonly involved artery is arteries in the temple region.

The exact reason that leads to inflammation of arteries is not known yet. However it is thought that it occurs from autoimmune response of the body in which the immune cells of the body attack and inflame the walls of artery by mistake from a misdirected response.

Other than this some genes and environmental factors are also thought to play a role that increase the risk of this condition. Next high doses of antibiotics and some intense infections are also associated with temporal arteritis.

People above the age of 50 yrs are at more risk to develop this condition as compared to younger people. Females are also at more risk of it as compared to males. People having a family history of this condition are at more risk of it.

Symptoms 

Its main symptom is headache and tenderness. Headache is located in temples means the sides of the head and it is throbbing in nature. Headache is of high intensity and mostly occurs in both the temples. Its next symptoms include tenderness of scalp, vision problems including blurred vision, double vision and sudden permanent vision loss in one eye, jaw pain that can occur while chewing or opening mouth, pain in face, throat. Apart from this other symptoms are weakness, malaise, loss of appetite, unintentional weight loss and fever. Rest symptoms are pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, hips, lower back. . In about 50 % of the cases of temporal arteritis a condition called polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) occurs. PMR is an inflammatory condition causing muscle pain and stiffness. In PMR, pain and stiffness occurs mainly in the shoulders, arm, neck, thigh, hip and lower back. 

Complications 

If this condition is not treated quickly then serious complications can occur. First among them is sudden vision loss / blindness due to reduced blood flow to the eyes from narrow arteries. Next complication is development of aortic aneurysm (enlargement and bulging of an artery from weakness in wall of artery.) This aortic aneurysm has chances to get burst and cause excessive internal bleeding which is life-threatening if not attended immediately. Third complication is stroke (it refers to reduced or interrupted blood supply to brain tissue as a result the brain cells start to die because they don’t get oxygen and nutrients. It is a medical emergency that requires urgent medical help).

Homeopathic Remedies for Temporal Arteritis 

Homeopathic medicines are beneficial for managing mild to moderate cases of temporal arteritis. These medicines help in managing the symptoms of this condition effectively. Homeopathic medicine mainly helps to manage its symptoms including headache, tenderness of scalp, vision problems (including blurred vision, double vision), jaw pain, pain in face, pain in throat, weakness, malaise and pain & stiffness in the neck, shoulders, hips, lower back. Since temporal arteritis is a serious condition and can have severe complications, one must consider use of homeopathic medicines along with conventional treatment for symptom relief and that too under supervision of a homeopathic physician. 

1. Belladonna – For Managing Temporal Headache, Throat Pain and Facial Pain

This medicine is prepared from plant known as deadly nightshade. It belongs to family solanaceae. Firstly it is a top listed medicine for managing pain in the temporal (side) region of head. For using it the nature of pain is throbbing type. The pain may radiate from temple to orbit or entire one side of head in some cases needing it. Motion of head, eye movement and noise can worsen the pain. The pain can get better by pressure. Along with pain, fullness and pressure at temples may also felt attended with restlessness. Heated sensation in head can also accompany. Head is sensitive to touch with above symptoms. It is also indicated when there is a pressing sensation in temples attended with dimness of vision. Secondly it helps in cases of pain in throat. Thirdly it is useful to manage facial pain. In most cases needing it the facial pain is right sided. The nature of pain can be cutting, tearing, shooting type. This facial pain gets worse from touch and motion.

2. Glonoine – For Managing Throbbing Headache with Marked Heat and Congestion

Glonoine is very effective to manage headaches attended with marked heat and congestion. Persons needing it complain of throbbing in temples. This may worsen while walking. Relief may occur from lying and also from pressure on it. Along with throbbing there is a sensation as if the head would burst mainly at temples and above ears. Other than above it is also indicated for violent pressing or stitching pain in temples. Along with these symptoms the temporal arteries seem to pulsate and beat violently. 

3. Lachesis – For Pain in Left Temple 

This medicine is well indicated for pain in the head located in the left sided temple. The pain is severe and can be throbbing or drawing in nature. It is accompanied with soreness of the temple to least touch. Heated sensation in the head is also there. The pain in cases needing it gets worse from motion, stooping and pressure.

4. Silicea – For Right Temporal Headache

Silicea is well indicated for stitching pain in the temple, especially the right side. The pain worsens at night. It also worsens form eye movement. With these symptoms there is congestion of the head and redness in the face.

5. Spigelia – For Facial Pain and Headache on Left Side

This medicine is prepared from plant Spigelia anthelmintica also known as pink – root. This plant belongs to family loganiaceae. It is a leading medicine to manage facial pain mainly on the left side. The pain for using this medicine can be burning, tearing, and tensive, stinging or darting type. The pain may worsen from stooping and slightest motion. Face is red with pain. Next it is top grade medicine for left sided headache. The pain in the left temple is a violent stitching or pulsating type where it is required.

6. China – When Scalp is Tender, Sensitive and Painful to Touch

China is a well indicated medicine for cases having tenderness, pain and sensitivity of scalp to touch. This gets worse from draught of air. A strong external pressure offers relief in it. Profuse sweat may accompany this symptom. Pain in the head, especially stitching type is present. Pulsations are also felt in the head. The pain worsens from movement of the head.

7. Phosphorus – To Manage Vision Problems

This medicine has a marked sphere of action around the eyes. It helps to manage many vision problems. In these cases it offers help to manage complaints of blurring of vision and double vision (diplopia). Persons needing this medicine also have pain in one or the other temple that may be burning, pulsating or pressing type. Other than above this medicine is also indicated for drawing and tearing pain in jaw.

8. Calcarea Carb – For Jaw Pain

It is a prominent medicine for managing jaw pain. For using it pain in the upper jaw is present when chewing. The pain is mainly drawing in nature. Another indication for using it is stitching pain in the left temple on movement of the lower jaw.

9. Hepar Sulph – For Managing Throat Pain

Other than Belladonna, Hepar Sulph is a very significant medicine to manage throat pain. The pain is worse from  speaking and swallowing. The pain can radiate from throat to ears. Along with this  a plug-like sensation or a splinter  like sensation is felt in the throat.

10. Arsenic Album – For Managing Weakness 

It is a leading homeopathic medicine to manage weakness. In cases needing it weakness and exhaustion occurs from slightest exertion.  There is a lack of power and strength to do any work. In most cases weakness is worse at night time. Weight loss can be present along with this.

11. Rhus Tox  – To Manage Pain and Stiffness

Rhus Tox is a top grade medicine to manage pain and stiffness in these cases. It works well in managing pain and stiffness in neck, shoulders, hips and lower back. Persons who need this medicine complain of worsening of pain at rest in general. They feel relief in the pain by motion.