Having a sudden and severe pain on one side of the face can be alarming. The pain may even be triggered by the most mundane of activities that include brushing one’s teeth, talking, smiling, and even drinking water. Trigeminal Neuralgia may be the cause of this pain. It is a neurological disorder that affects one of the major cranial nerves, the one that conducts sensations from the face to the brain.

While Trigeminal Neuralgia is not a life-threatening disease, the pain can affect the quality of life and one’s mental health. Thankfully, the right treatment after early diagnosis can provide relief to a lot of patients. Getting to know this disorder can help you identify the symptoms and decide if and when to go see the doctor.

What Is Trigeminal Neuralgia?

This disorder is a chronic pain disorder that involves the trigeminal nerve, which is one of the larger cranial nerves. The trigeminal nerve carries sensations from the forehead, cheeks, jaw and teeth to the brain.

Irritation and compression of the trigeminal nerve may cause abnormal pain signals to be sent. Gentle stimulation of the face in this case can even cause sudden and severe pain episodes.

This disorder of the trigeminal nerve usually affects one side of the face, but in rare cases may affect both sides.

What Are The Triggers Of Trigeminal Neuralgia?

• Blood Vessel Compression: Due to the close proximity of blood vessels to the trigeminal nerve, a blood vessel may undergo compression by the nerve and, subsequently, compression may damage the nerve. This damage causes the nerve to begin firing abnormally and causes pain.
• Ageing: This disorder usually occurs in individuals over the age of 50. However, the disorder can develop in individuals of other ages as well.
• Multiple Sclerosis: Trigeminal Neuralgia can develop in individuals with multiple sclerosis due to the demyelination and damage of the protective covering of the brain and spinal cord.
• Injury or Trauma: Facial surgery, dental surgery, and facial trauma can cause trigeminal nerve irritation.
• Tumors: In very rare instances, the abnormality of the symptoms may be explained by a tumour that is pressing on the trigeminal nerve.

What Does Trigeminal Neuralgia Feel Like?

Describing the pain of trigeminal neuralgia is difficult, as the pain is one of the most extreme facial pains.

Symptoms Most Commonly Include:

• Intense, sharp, electric shock-like facial pain
• Unilateral facial pain
• Pain episodes lasting a few seconds to minutes
• Pain associated with talking, chewing, brushing teeth, or washing the face
• Pain localized to the cheek, jaw, lips, forehead, or facial pain.
• Pain episodes that occur in attacks with intervals of no pain
• Anxiety about performing daily activities due to the pain being triggered
• Pain episodes may become more intense with a higher frequency.

Diagnosing Trigeminal Neuralgia

Currently, there are no definitive tests available for diagnosing trigeminal neuralgia. It is primarily diagnosed through symptoms and thorough nerve examinations.

Things your neurologist may recommend:

• Detailed medical history
• Physical and nerve examination
• Evaluation of your facial pain’s location and pattern
• MRI to assess if a blood vessel is compressing a nerve, multiple sclerosis, or any other potential cause
• Possible other imaging to exclude other nerve pathologies

Because facial pain has so many different causes, it is highly recommended to diagnose accurately prior to treatment.

Treatment Options

Treatment for trigeminal neuralgia aims at pain control, improved function, and addressing the cause of the pain, if applicable.

Medications
Anti-seizure medications are the primary pharmaceuticals used for trigeminal neuralgia as they diminish the dysfunctional nerve signalling. Muscle relaxers and pain medications are also prescribed in conjunction on some occasions.

Surgical Procedures
Surgery may be an option if medications fail to be adequate or if the side effects of the medications become excessive. There are a variety of procedures that can lessen the signalling of pain or relieve pressure on the nerve.

Living with chronic facial pain is difficult and can be emotionally draining. Good oral hygiene care, avoidance of known triggers of facial pain, and frequent visits to the doctor for checkups are essential to the management of this condition.

When to Consult a Neurologist

Consult your neurologist when you experience unrelenting and debilitating facial pain that is triggered by normal activities like eating, talking, or even everyday hygiene like brushing your teeth.

Early evaluation is crucial as untreated trigeminal neuralgia can get worse over time. Also, early diagnosis can help exclude other neurological disorders.

Can Trigeminal Neuralgia Be Avoided?

Currently, there is no way to avoid trigeminal neuralgia. The compression of nerves and other neurological disorders cause most cases of trigeminal neuralgia. However, seeking treatment early, managing multiple sclerosis, and being compliant with a treatment plan can lessen the intensity and frequency of the pain episodes.

Conclusion

Trigeminal neuralgia can be very disruptive to one’s daily living as it causes very intense pain that can be distressing. Fortunately, there are multiple treatment options available. The main objectives of early diagnosis are to identify the root cause and allow patients to receive early treatment to prevent symptom progression.

Royal Care Neurosciences has some of the best neurologists available to evaluate and treat trigeminal neuralgia and other neurological disorders. We strive to address pain and improve daily functioning and quality of life through our advanced diagnostic and treatment modalities.

FAQs

1. What causes pain in trigeminal neuralgia?

It can be caused by many different triggers. These may include brushing teeth, chewing food, talking, washing the face, or even the wind touching the face.

2. Is trigeminal neuralgia for life?

Trigeminal neuralgia can be a long-term condition, but many people can very effectively manage the pain through medications or, in some cases, surgery. It is very dependent on the individual case.

3. When should I seek medical advice for facial pain?

You should book an appointment with a neurologist for facial pain episodes that are sudden, severe, and frequent. This is even more important if those episodes are painful enough to disrupt daily tasks like eating and speaking. If the cause can be diagnosed early, the treatment options will likely have a better outcome.