Trigeminal Neuralgia

Painful bouts of trigeminal neuralgia can come on suddenly and be quite painful. However, this condition usually affects only one side of the face.

Causes

Trigeminal nerve irritation is the initial cause of this condition. It is possible that the myelin sheath, a protective covering for nerves, has been damaged due to a blood vessel pushing on the neuron.

Some disorders like multiple sclerosis can also damage the protective myelin sheath. Sometimes the nerve is compressed because of a tumour or an arterial tangle.

The trigeminal nerve is vulnerable to trauma, and it can be damaged in a number of ways.

Symptoms

The following are some symptoms that are localised to the jaw and cheek:

  • A loss of sensation and/or tingling.
  • Acute discomfort that comes in spurts.
  • Constant nagging pains

Additional symptoms include:

  • Sharp, intense pain that lasts only a few seconds.
  • Symptoms that appear out of nowhere and are triggered by routine actions like eating or chatting.
  • Burning sensation on one side of the face

Diagnosis

  • Physical exam
  • Neurological exam
  • MRI

Treatment

Medication, surgery, and alternative treatments can all help with the pain of trigeminal neuralgia.

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