Trigeminal neuralgia is severe pain that is characterized by bouts that affect the facial area and last for several seconds at a time. It may be the result of several types of stimuli, such as: eating, brushing teeth, or cold air.
The seizure is often described as an electric shock in the area referred to. Long periods of time may pass without pain attacks, and in return, it may be periods of many seizures.
In most cases, the cause of pain is constant pressure from a cerebral blood vessel on the fifth nerve, which is responsible for transmitting sensation from the face to the brain.
In some cases, trigeminal nerve pain appears in patients with multiple sclerosis, as the disease affects the nerve nuclei in the brainstem itself. Another possibility for this pain to arise is the presence of a tumor pressing on the trigeminal nerve in the area of its exit from the brainstem.
Symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia
Symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia may include one or more of these
Episodes of severe, shooting, or tingling pain that may feel like an electric shock.
Spontaneous bouts of pain or attacks triggered by things such as touching the face, chewing, talking or brushing the teeth.
Painful bouts that last from a few seconds to several minutes.
Episodes of several episodes lasting days, weeks, months or longer, with some people going through periods when they don''t have pain.
Persistent pain and a burning feeling that may occur before it develops into a cramping-like pain of trigeminal neuralgia.
Pain in areas supplied by the trigeminal nerve, including the cheek, jaw, teeth, gums, and lips, or more often in the eyes and forehead.
The pain affects only one side of the face at a time, although it rarely affects both sides of the face.
The pain is concentrated in one spot or spreads in a wider pattern.
Episodes become more frequent and severe over time.
Causes and risk factors for trigeminal neuralgia
The following are the most prominent causes and risk factors for trigeminal neuralgia
1. Causes of trigeminal neuralgia
The most prominent reasons include the following
If the trigeminal nerve becomes irritated, you may have a blood vessel pressing on the nerve, damaging the protective layer around it called the myelin sheath.
Certain diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, can damage the myelin sheath, and sometimes a tumor or tangled arteries press on a nerve.
The trigeminal nerve may be injured, possibly due to surgery, an accident, or a stroke.
2. Risk factors for trigeminal neuralgia
Some people are more likely to develop trigeminal neuralgia than others, and the most prominent risk factors include the following:
Women are more likely to experience trigeminal neuralgia than men.
The disease is more common in people over 50 years of age.
The disorder may run in families possibly because of how the blood vessels are formed in the brain.
The disorder may also be related to high blood pressure.
Although the pain can be severe, the condition is not life-threatening. However, it can be a progressive disease, which means it gets worse over time.
Complications of trigeminal neuralgia
Complications may include
double vision
Jaw weakness.
loss of corneal reflex.
Disturbing and partial numbness in the area of pain.
chewing problems
Diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia
The most prominent methods of diagnosis include the following
1. Physical examination
The doctor can diagnose the patient''s condition by asking about the following
The nature of the pain: The pain associated with trigeminal neuralgia is sudden, shock-like, and short.
The location of the pain: Hitting the parts of your face that are affected by the pain will alert your doctor that the trigeminal nerve is involved.
Pain triggers: Pain associated with trigeminal neuralgia is usually triggered by mild stimulation of the cheeks, such as eating, talking, or even encountering a cool breeze.
2. Perform a neurological examination
Touching and examining parts of your face can help your doctor determine exactly where the pain is occurring. If you appear to be suffering from trigeminal neuralgia, reflexology tests can also help your doctor determine whether your symptoms are caused by a compressed nerve or another condition.
3. MRI
Your doctor may order an MRI of your head to determine whether multiple sclerosis or a tumor is causing your trigeminal neuralgia. In some cases, your doctor may inject dye into a blood vessel to view your arteries and veins and diagnose blood flow.
Trigeminal neuralgia treatment
The most prominent methods of treatment include the following
1. Pharmacotherapy
Typical pain relievers don''t work well for people with trigeminal neuralgia, but your doctor may prescribe different types of medication, including:
Anticonvulsants: to prevent the nerves from becoming irritated.
Muscle relaxants: These may be taken by your doctor on their own or with anticonvulsants.
Tricyclic antidepressants: Your doctor may suggest a tricyclic antidepressant to control your symptoms.
2. Surgical treatment
The most prominent methods of surgical treatment include the following
balloon pressure
Where doctors an empty balloon into the space between the trigeminal nerve and the base of the skull, and when the balloon is inflated, the nerve is pressed against the hard bones, which leads to damage to the nerve insulation so that you do not feel pain from light touches.
glycerin syringe
Which is injected into the spinal fluid surrounding the trigeminal nerve at the base of the skull, and this damages the insulation surrounding the nerve, which relieves pain.
Radiofrequency ablation
Where doctors and patients locate the exact area within the trigeminal nerve that is causing severe pain, then the doctor can send an electric current to the spot to relieve the sensation.
Reducing microvascular pressure
Which moves or removes the blood vessels that affect the nerve.
Neurectomy
The trigeminal nerve is partially cut to relieve pain.
Prevention of trigeminal neuralgia
The most important methods of prevention include the following
Wash your face with warm water, that is, neither too hot nor too cold.
Eat soft foods.
Eat foods that are warm or cold at room temperature, but not too hot or too cold.
Avoid foods that may trigger seizures, such as caffeine and citrus fruits.
Rinse your mouth with room temperature water after eating.
