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Trigeminal neuralgia causes shooting pain in the face, often on the right side, due to a blood vessel pressing on the trigeminal nerve. Treatment options include medication, surgery, and complementary therapies. Patients should see a neurologist for diagnosis and treatment.
The symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia are characterized by periods of intense shooting pain in the face, most commonly along the right side. Other symptoms may also be observed, and in patients with atypical trigeminal neuralgia, instead of shooting, the pain will be throbbing, dull, and continuous. People who notice trigeminal neuralgia symptoms should see a neurologist for diagnosis and treatment. Treatment options are available to control pain and discomfort, although a patient may need to be on several regimens to find one that works.
This neurological condition is caused by a blood vessel pressing on the trigeminal nerve, one of the major facial nerves. The trigeminal nerve transmits sensory information to the brain from the face. When a blood vessel presses on the nerve for an extended period of time, it erodes the protective myelin sheath covering the nerve, and the nerve begins to emit random pain signals. People with trigeminal neuralgia are typically older adults.
The shooting pain associated with trigeminal neuralgia is usually accompanied by involuntary muscle movements. The pain may recur several times and be followed by a pain-free period that varies in length. Symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia typically cluster more over time, with fewer pain-free periods between attacks. This is the result of ongoing damage to myelin and further erosion of nerve function.
Attacks usually occur in response to a stimulus. Any sensation on your face can trigger the sharp pain of trigeminal neuralgia, from stepping outside with a crisp breeze to putting on a pair of glasses. Patients who experience symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia may begin to avoid daily activities out of concern for attacks. Sometimes the attacks strike randomly, with no known trigger. Like other pain conditions, this condition can be associated with severe depression, and some patients develop suicidal thoughts as a result of the pain.
Treatments for trigeminal neuralgia include an assortment of medications to control attacks and ease pain, as well as surgery for some patients. A neurologist can discuss the various options available, as well as their potential costs and benefits to help a patient make a treatment decision. Complementary therapies are also available, including biofeedback, acupuncture, and other treatments. These therapies can be undertaken simultaneously with conventional medical therapies to approach trigeminal neuralgia from multiple directions. Patients who experience emotional disturbances in addition to trigeminal neuralgia symptoms may also consider psychiatric treatment to help them deal with their emotions.
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