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Trigeminal neuralgia is a nerve disorder that causes a stabbing or electric-shock-like pain in parts of the face.
Alternative NamesTic douloureux
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe pain of trigeminal neuralgia comes from the trigeminal nerve. This nerve carries pain, feeling, and other sensations from the brain to the skin of the face. It can affect part or all of the face, and the surface of the eye.
The condition usually affects older adults, but it may affect anyone at any age. Trigeminal neuralgia may be part of the normal aging process.
Trigeminal neuralgia may be caused by:
- Multiple sclerosis
- Pressure on the trigeminal nerve from a swollen blood vessel or tumor
Often, no specific cause is found.
Doctors are more likely to find a cause if the patient is younger than age 40.
Symptoms- Very painful, sharp electric-like spasms that usually last a few seconds or minutes, but can become constant
- Pain is usually only on one side of the face, often around the eye, cheek, and lower part of the face
- Pain may be triggered by touch or sounds
- Painful attacks of trigeminal neuralgia can be triggered by common, everyday activities, such as:
- Brushing teeth
- Chewing
- Drinking
- Eating
- Lightly touching the face
- Shaving
A neurologic examination is usually normal.
Tests that are done to look for the cause of the problem include:
- Blood tests
- MRI of the head
- Trigeminal reflex testing
Your primary care physician, a neurologist, or a pain specialist may be involved in your care.
Certain medicines sometimes help reduce pain and the rate of attacks. These medicines include:
- Anti-seizure drugs (carbamazepine, gabapentin, lamotrigine, phenytoin, valproate, and pregabalin)
- Muscle relaxants (baclofen, clonazepam)
- Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, nortriptyline, or carbamazepine)
Some patients may need surgery to relieve pressure on the nerve. Techniques include:
- Cutting or destroying part of the trigeminal nerve
- Stereotactic radiosurgery
- Surgery to remove a blood vessel or tumor that is putting pressure on the trigeminal nerve
How well you do depends on the cause of the problem. If there is no underlying disease, some people find that treatment provides at least partial relief.
However, the pain may become constant and severe in some patients.
ReferencesCutrer FM, Moskowitz MA. Headaches and other head pain. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 421.
Goetz CG, ed. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2007.
Gronseth G, Cruccu G, Alksne J, Argoff C, Brainin M, Burchiel K, et al. Practice parameter: the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (an evidence-based review): report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the European Federation of Neurological Societies. Neurology. 2008;71:1183-1190.
What else can I help you with?
Which condition is also known as trigeminal neuralgia?
Other names for Trigeminal Neuralgia are prosopalagia, suicide disease or Fothergill's disease.
Trigeminal neuralgia rash?
Trigeminal neuralgia (tic douloureaux) is a trigeminal nerve function disorders, which trigeminal (cranial nerve V) is bring sensation from the face to the brain.Trigeminal nerve function disorders causes pain attack sharply. It can happen during few second to few minutes. Actually, trigeminal neuralgia can happen in the adult period, but it's often found in the geriatric.http://www.squidoo.com/trigeminal-neuralgia-cure
Can hydrocodone help trigeminal neuralgia?
I think hydrocodone can help you.. Commonly, to reduce the pain of trigeminal neuralgia is given carbamazepine, if isn't any result or arise side effect seriously, replaces by phenitoin. For many cases, uses bachlophen and anti depressant drugs to recovery the trigeminal neuralgia. (source:http://www.squidoo.com/trigeminal-neuralgia-cure)
What are the different treatment options for trigeminal neuralgia?
A common treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia is medications such as Anticonvulsants and Antispasmodic agents. Trigeminal Neuralgia may also be treated by surgery procedures such as micro-vascular decompression and gamma knife radio-surgery.
Does stress worsen trigeminal neuralgia?
I believe it does. I have Trigeminal Neuralgia and I was recently in a situation where I got extremely frustrated, borderline angry. I know for a fact that my pain increased in frequency and severity. So, to answer your question-- yes, I believe stress worsens trigeminal neuralgia.
What is another name for douloureux?
Trigeminal neuralgia
How does the trigeminal nerve function in relation to the condition known as trigeminal neuralgia?
The trigeminal nerve is responsible for transmitting sensory information from the face to the brain. In trigeminal neuralgia, this nerve becomes irritated or compressed, causing severe facial pain.
What is another name for tic douloureux?
Another name for tic douloureux is trigeminal neuralgia. It is a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, causing intense, stabbing facial pain.
What is the Trigeminal Neuragia?
trigeminal neuralgia is inflamation of trigeminal ganglion & causes pain over distribution of trigeminal nerve
What is another name for trigeminal neuralgia?
People with this pain often wince or twitch, which is where trigeminal neuralgia gets its French nickname tic douloureux, meaning "painful twitch."
Does trigeminal neuralgia resolve itself?
No, it does not resolve itself. Trigeminal Neuralgia only gets worse with time and the damage is permanent. TN affects older people and women more often then men. Some of the best trigeminal neuralgia treatment options include creams, injections and surgery.
What is the treatment for neuralgia?
Glossopharyngeal, trigeminal, and postherpetic neuralgias sometimes respond to anticonvulsant drugs, such as carbamazepine or phenytoin, or to painkillers, such as acetaminophen. Trigeminal neuralgia may also be relieved by surgery.
