Understanding Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia is a type of severe nerve pain that affects your face. You may feel a strong burst of pain in part of your face. It is often on 1 side of the jaw or cheek. The pain may be burning or sharp. It may be so severe that you can’t eat or drink. The pain can flare up for a few weeks or months. Then the pain goes away for a while, sometimes years. Trigeminal neuralgia is also called tic douloureux.
How to say it
try-JEM-in-uhl
ner-AL-juh
What causes trigeminal neuralgia?
Researchers think that a blood vessel pressing against the trigeminal nerve triggers the pain. Other possible causes may be:
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Multiple sclerosis (MS)
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A tumor pressing on the nerve
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An abnormal tangle of arteries and veins
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Nerve damage from oral surgery, stroke, or injury to the face
Who is at risk for trigeminal neuralgia?
It happens most often in people older than 50. But younger people can also have it. Trigeminal neuralgia is more common in females.
Symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia
The pain can be triggered by pressure on your cheek. This pressure may come from a razor when shaving. Or from your fingers when putting on makeup. Brushing your teeth, standing in the wind, washing your face, eating, drinking, and even talking may trigger attacks of pain.
A flare-up begins with tingling or numbness in the area. Then pain starts to come and go, often in bursts that last anywhere from a few seconds to 2 minutes. During a flare-up, these bursts of pain may occur more often until the pain almost never stops. The pain can be so severe it can make it hard to get through your day. But it’s not life-threatening.
People with trigeminal neuralgia may have these symptoms:
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Flashes of severe pain in the cheek or jaw, rarely on both sides
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The pain feels like electric shocks or like a knife
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Pain is often triggered by wind or touching, eating, or brushing your teeth
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Anxiety from the thought of the pain returning
Diagnosing trigeminal neuralgia
Your healthcare provider will ask about your health history and give you a physical and neurological exam. Tell your provider details about your pain, such as the location, intensity, and description of the pain. This may help with making a diagnosis. Imaging tests such as an MRI may be used to look for other causes of pain such as from a tumor or multiple sclerosis.
Treatment for trigeminal neuralgia
Most common over-the-counter and prescription pain medicines don’t work for the pain from this condition. Treatment may include:
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Anticonvulsant medicine
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Tricyclic antidepressants
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Lidocaine (intranasal spray or intravenous)
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Surgery, if medicine doesn’t work
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Acupuncture
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Biofeedback
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Stereotactic radiosurgery
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Percutaneous balloon rhizotomy
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Radiofrequency ablation
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Glycerol injection
Living with trigeminal neuralgia
This condition is not life-threatening. But the pain and anticipation of the pain can interfere with your life. Working closely with your healthcare provider will help you find the best pain management methods for you. Alternative therapies have also been shown to help. Some of these include:
You may find that certain activities seem to trigger the pain more than others. Over the next few weeks, keep a pain diary. Write down when your symptoms happen and how they feel. Certain activities, such as touching your face, chewing, talking, or brushing your teeth, may bring on the pain. Cold air can also trigger the pain. Make sure you write down any triggers and discuss these with your provider. This will help guide treatment.
When to call your healthcare provider
Call your healthcare provider or get medical care right away if you have any of these:
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Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
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Headache with very stiff neck
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Repeated vomiting
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Extreme drowsiness or confusion
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Dizziness or fainting
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A new feeling of weakness or numbness or tingling in your arm, leg, or face
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Trouble speaking or seeing