Trigeminal neuralgia
Overview
- Sensation in the face and
- Motor functions such as biting and chewing.
It is the most complex of the cranial nerves. It carries sensation from the face to the brain.
Patients with the condition describe it as sudden, severe facial pain, akin to a sharp shooting pain or an electric shock in the jaw, teeth or gums.
Trigeminal neuralgia typically affects one side of the face which the patient feels in the lower part of his or her face. In some cases, it affects both sides, but usually not at the same time.
Other conditions can cause similar pain, but the pain is more constant. Trigeminal neuralgia is different in that the pain goes away but shoots back.
Cause of pain, frequency of attacks
The pain is caused by irritation of the trigeminal nerve when blood vessels press on the root of the nerve. This causes the nerve to transmit pain signals which patients experience as stabbing pains.
The pain usually involves the lower face and jaw. Sometimes it also affects the area around the nose and above the eye.
Trigeminal neuralgia causes pain attacks that can last:
- From a few seconds to about 2 minutes
- Over days, weeks or even months at a time
In very severe cases, attacks may happen hundreds of times a day.
Trigeminal neuralgia type 1 and 2
- Trigeminal neuralgia type 1 (TN1) characterised by intense, stabbing pain affecting the mouth, cheek, nose and/or other areas on one side of the face.
- Trigeminal neuralgia type 2 (TN2) characterized by a less intense pain.
Living with trigeminal neuralgia can be difficult. It can result in problems such as:
- Weight loss
- Isolation
- Depression
During periods of extreme pain some people may even have thoughts about suicide.
Why is treatment important?
In some cases, the pain can be excruciating and incapacitating. If untreated, trigeminal neuralgia can have a profound effect on a person’s quality of life.
Trigeminal neuralgia symptoms very rarely disappear. In many instances, they get worse as time goes by.
Surgery for trigeminal neuralgia is often needed when medications do not offer sufficient pain relief or side effects become too troublesome.
