Trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by stab-like shooting pains in the face. The attacks may be mild at first, but normally progress to a more intense pain. Women are more affected by the disorder than men, according to the Mayo Clinic. Treatments are available to manage the pain of trigeminal neuralgia.
Trigeminal Nerve Pain
The trigeminal nerve runs from the brain to the face and sends signals of pain, pressure and touch to the face, jaw, forehead and the skin around the eyes. The nerve can become damaged through disease such as multiple sclerosis or by blood vessels that enlarge and rub against and irritate the nerve. Triggers that may cause trigeminal nerve pain includes shaving, eating, drinking, talking, smiling or brushing your teeth. Pain may affect one side of the face or both, pain may feel like an electric shock, pain that lasts several seconds and pain episodes that progressively worsen.
Medications
Pain relievers normally do not work on nerve pain. Anticonvulsant medications such as Tegretol and Dilantin block pain messages sent to the brain and may help ease facial pain. Muscle relaxant drugs such as baclofen may relax muscles that may be pressing on the trigeminal nerve. Side effects may include confusion and sleepiness. Anti-depressants such as amtriptyline interfere with pain signals being sent to the brain and may help with pain and depression brought on by the disorder.
Surgery
When medications fail to help facial pain, surgery may be recommended. There are several procedures from which to choose. Microvascular Decompression involves the removal of blood vessels that are irritating the trigeminal nerve. This procedure carries a high success rate, but there is a small risk of double vision, hearing loss and facial weakness. Glycerol injection is a procedure in which glycerol is injected into the trigeminal nerve damaging it enough to block pain signals. A partial sensory rhizotomy is a complete severing of the trigeminal nerve from the base of your brain. Radiation treatment is a dose of high radiation directed at the trigeminal nerve at the base of the skull, effectively damaging the nerve and eliminating pain.
Alternative Treatment
Alternative treatment for trigeminal neuralgia pain includes acupuncture, vitamin therapy, biofeedback and electrical nerve stimulation. Biofeedback is controlling how your body reacts to pain and teaches you relax stiffened muscles. Your doctor will be able to advise you on the best treatment solutions for your trigeminal neuralgia.
Tags: trigeminal nerve, block pain, blood vessels, blood vessels that, brain help, facial pain, neuralgia Trigeminal