Trigeminal Neuralgia
Understanding Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia is a persistent pain disorder that impacts the trigeminal nerve, responsible for transmitting sensations from your face to your brain. Individuals with this condition may experience intense pain triggered by even minor facial stimuli, such as brushing teeth, shaving, applying makeup, smiling, or encountering a breeze.
This condition may arise due to factors like aging, a swollen blood vessel, multiple sclerosis, or a related disorder that damages the protective myelin sheath of specific nerves. Less commonly, it can result from nerve compression due to a tumor. In some instances, brain lesions or other irregularities may contribute, while in others, no definitive cause can be determined.
Common Symptoms
Trigeminal neuralgia’s symptoms can manifest in various patterns:
- Episodic attacks lasting from days to months, occasionally interspersed with pain-free periods
- Intense shooting or stabbing pain, akin to an electric shock
- Occasional twinges of milder pain
- Pain in regions supplied by the trigeminal nerve, including the jaw, cheek, gums, teeth, lips, and less frequently the forehead or eye
Diagnosing Trigeminal Neuralgia
This condition tends to affect women more than men, particularly those aged 50 and above. Physicians rely on your description of the pain, including its type, location, and triggers, to diagnose trigeminal neuralgia. Diagnostic tests might include:
- Neurological assessments
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Reflex tests
Treating Trigeminal Neuralgia
The presence of trigeminal neuralgia doesn’t necessarily entail a life of pain, given the range of available treatment options. Medical professionals can typically manage it through medications, alternative therapies, injections, or surgery.
Surgical interventions encompass techniques like trigeminal nerve manipulation, tumor or blood vessel removal, and specialized options like microvascular decompression. Some less invasive surgical methods are suitable for select cases and can be performed on an outpatient basis. Your medical team will assess your condition and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
The skilled surgeons at North Carolina Neuroscience & Spine Center can help you navigate the optimal treatment path. Their expertise lies in the latest treatments and techniques, with a focus on diagnosing and treating brain, spine, and peripheral nerve disorders and diseases. To arrange a consultation with North Carolina Neuroscience & Spine Center, call 919-784-7550 .
Next Day Appointments Available
The surgeons at North Carolina Neuroscience & Spine Center can help you decide on the treatment that’s best for you. They specialize in minimally invasive spine surgery and are experienced in diagnosing and treating disc disorders and disease, using the newest techniques for relieving pain and returning you to an active lifestyle. To make an appointment at North Carolina Neuroscience & Spine Center call 919-784-7550.
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