Trigeminal neuralgia is a rare nerve disorder that affects the face. It causes sudden and severe pain in the face, which people describe as a shooting, electric shock-like pain in the teeth, jaw, gums, and other areas of the face.
SYNONYM
It is also known as tic douloureux. The pain is typically focused on the lower face and jaw, although it sometimes affects other areas of the face, such as around the nose and above the eyes.
Trigeminal neuralgia cause
Trigeminal neuralgia is caused by irritation of the trigeminal nerve, which starts at the ear and branches out to the forehead, cheeks, and lower jaw. It usually limited to one side of the face and can be triggered by actions such as eating or brushing.
It is a type of neuropathic pain, which stimulates the fifth cranial nerve.
Trigeminal neuralgia Treatment
Antidepressant medicine such as amitriptyline or nortriptyline, are effective in treating nerve pain.
Antiseizure medications such as carbamazepine is effective for trigeminal neuralgia.
Short-term narcotic pain medications, such as codeine can be used.
Microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery is regarded as the most long-lasting treatment for trigeminal neuralgia caused by blood vessel compression and it helps about 80% of people with this diagnosis.
Stereotactic radiosurgery is a fairly new treatment that uses a concentrated beam of radiation to deliberately damage the trigeminal nerve where it enters the brainstem. Stereotactic radiosurgery does not require a general anesthetic and no cuts (incisions) are made in your cheek.