Main Cause of Trigeminal Neuralgia: With the present generation, it is very common for them to suffer from a lot of problems. If we look at the record of previous decades, then this decade is full of health problems. In this article, we are discussing “trigeminal neuralgia”.
Do you know about this condition? Do you know how this condition started to affect people? Are you aware of the causes of trigeminal neuralgia? If you are unaware of such questions, then keep reading. Here you will find a lot of tension considering this condition, and if you know someone who is suffering from it, you can simply take them to the doctor for treatment. Let’s understand in detail!
What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition that causes intense pain in the face, especially on one side of the face. It is caused by abnormal activity in the trigeminal nerve, which supplies sensation to the skin of the face and jaw. In this condition, the trigeminal nerve becomes inflamed and sensitive to stimulation from everyday activities such as brushing teeth or washing your face.
The pain can be triggered by anything from a sudden temperature change to a light touch on the cheek, but it’s unpredictable and comes without warning.
Furthermore, trigeminal neuralgia can also cause an electric shock-like sensation that travels down your neck and into your shoulders or arms, or even into your chest or back.
Signs and Symptoms of Trigeminal Neuralgia:
Trigeminal Neuralgia is a neurological disorder that causes pain in the face. The pain is usually described as a shooting, stabbing, or burning sensation. Some people describe it as an electric shock or a bolt of lightning.
The symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia are:
- Facial pain that comes and goes without any warning
- A person dealing with spontaneous attacks of pain
- Painful episodes may last from seconds to minutes.
- Experiencing attacks more frequently.
- Pain may be triggered by touching the face or brushing the teeth.
Causes of Trigeminal Neuralgia:-
The main cause of trigeminal neuralgia is thought to be due to miscommunication between the trigeminal nerve and the brain. The trigeminal nerve is responsible for transmitting sensations from your face to your brain. When this miscommunication occurs, it causes an attack of intense facial pain. But do know that there are some triggers for it as well. This includes:
- Eating
- Drinking
- Shaving
- Smiling
- Washing your face
- Touching your face
- Putting on makeup
- Cleaning your teeth
- Talking
- The breeze lightly blows over your face.
When you approach the doctor for a diagnosis, he will help you understand the exact condition and the possible causes. But do know that avoiding trigeminal neuralgia puts a person at risk of other chronic conditions developing too.
Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Diagnosis
The diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia is usually based on the patient’s medical history and a physical examination.
· Physical examination:
The doctor will examine the patient’s head and face, looking for signs of abnormalities in the trigeminal nerve. The doctor may also examine the patient’s jaw to make sure that it moves normally.
· Medical history:
The doctor will ask about any pain or numbness in the face and jaw, as well as any other symptoms. This helps them to analyze the condition and also lets them know if there is any need to go for other tests too.
Note: After learning about the patient’s physical and medical condition, doctors may recommend a full-body MRI and a CT scan. These reports will help them to know whether the assumptions they are making considering the problem are viable or not.
Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment:
The most common treatments for this condition are medications and surgical procedures. Medications are typically prescribed to reduce pain and control symptoms. Usually, surgery is performed when medications are not effective or if they cause adverse side effects.
· Medication for the patient:
Initially, the non-surgical processes are in consideration, which simply means that to alleviate the pain, the doctor will suggest a variety of medications. There is a proper combination that doctors suggests that helps individuals feel comfortable for a while and get rid of the restriction they are facing.
If your body is responding to the drug, then you need to consume the same drug for a longer duration. But understand that there are some drawbacks related to these medications, which is why your doctor will not suggest you rely on them ultimately.
Surgical procedure
When the medications are ineffective, a surgical procedure is the last option with doctors around. Either they go for open cranial surgery or then consider the lesioning procedures.
1. Open cranial surgery:
Open cranial surgery involves microsurgical exposure to the trigeminal nerve root. The identification of the blood vessel which is contributing to the problem diagnosis, and decompression is responsible for reducing sensitivity and allowing the nerve to recover.
2. Lesioning procedures
Percutaneous radiofrequency rhizotomy treatments are the options that are in consideration for treating such conditions. The electric impulses are used throughout the process, which is responsible for relieving nerve pain by destroying the part of the nerve responsible for pain and suppressing the signals to the brain.
There are so many other treatment options that the doctor adapts according to the condition. It entirely depends on the doctor you are approaching for the treatment and the available technology too.
We’re pretty sure that now you are aware of the trigeminal neuralgia condition. Well, we suggest you approach the best doctor possible. If you have no clue where you can go for treatment, visit Jaipur and fix an appointment with Dr. Nikhil Bansal.
You know he is one of the best interventional radiologists in Jaipur, having years of experience in treating this condition. The best part is that he will not suggest you go for unnecessary procedures because we believe in treating conditions with less medication only. Just discuss whatever you are going through so that he can understand how to move ahead with the treatment for better results.
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Most Asked Question
Q. 1 Can trigeminal neuralgia be cured?
Ans: The condition may be manageable with medication, but it is not curable. The only way to cure this condition is through surgery.
Some treatments are more effective than others, depending on each individual’s case. For example, people who have had their trigeminal nerves damaged by a stroke or other cause may find that they are unable to take medications because they have no sensation in their mouths.
Q. 2 What is the main concern with trigeminal neuralgia?
Ans: There are many reasons why someone may experience trigeminal neuralgia, but they all stem from problems with the trigeminal nerve, which is located in the brain and passes through three areas of the head and neck before it reaches the face.
Q. 3 How can someone tell if they have trigeminal neuralgia?
The most common symptom is an intense, shooting or burning pain that affects one side of the face or jaw. It can also cause people to feel like their face get hit with an object or they have headache.
Q. 4 Who is susceptible to trigeminal neuralgia?
Ans: The disorder usually affects people over the age of 50, and there are many cases in which the cause is unknown. Trigeminal neuralgia can also be inherited or caused by an injury to the face or head.
Q. 5 What are the potential long-term effects of trigeminal neuralgia?
Ans: The long-term effects of trigeminal neuralgia are not well known because it is so rare. However, people with this disorder have higher rates of depression than people without it.