What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Trigeminal Neuralgia is a condition where the patient suffers from acute sporadic pain in the face. As the name suggests, it is the malfunctioning of the trigeminal nerve in the face that causes this condition. This nerve is the largest nerve in our head, which performs several functions like transmitting impulses of pain, pressure, temperature, and touch to the areas of the eyes, forehead, gums, and jaws. So, when there is a malfunctioning in this nerve, there is a sudden stabbing electric shock like pain felt in the face that lasts for a few seconds. This may happen while brushing, eating, drinking, swallowing, or even when a light breeze is felt on the face. So, you can imagine how traumatic the condition may be!
What causes Trigeminal Neuralgia?
While we know that Trigeminal Neuralgia is caused due to a problem in the trigeminal nerve in the brain, there is no actual known cause for what causes the problem. However, there could be certain possible reasons for the condition.
- Possible neurological conditions that negatively impact the myelin sheath
- Growth of a tumour on the trigeminal nerve
- A pressed blood vessel on the trigeminal nerve
What does Trigeminal Neuralgia feel like?
As mentioned above, Trigeminal Neuralgia is a sudden, stabbing, sharp pain felt in the face that lasts for a few seconds, and then vanishes away on its own. Generally, the pain is felt on only one side of the face. But, there are cases where both sides of the face are affected, wherein different Trigeminal Neuralgia attacks hit different sides of the face at different times. The pain can strike at several times of the day.
What can trigger Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Activities like touching your face, brushing your teeth, putting on makeup, eating, drinking, swallowing, shaving, talking, washing your face, smiling, or encountering a breeze can all trigger the condition. While you can’t stop doing all of the above things, one thing you can definitely do is visit a neurologist as soon as possible so that he can analyze your condition, and prescribe you the necessary treatment. This may include medications, injections, therapies, or neurosurgery in Kota.
How can Trigeminal Neuralgia be diagnosed?
Based on how you describe the pain you experience, the neurologist will conduct a variety of tests to diagnose the condition. Depending on the type of pain, parts of the face it is affecting, and the activities that trigger the condition, you may be asked to have any of the following tests –
- A neurological examination – Touching the part of the face you experience pain in will help analyze the condition of your trigeminal nerve.
- MRI – An MRI scan of your head can determine is you have any kind of tumour or multiple sclerosis, which can help in better treatment.
- Any additional tests may be conducted to rule out other conditions.
How can Trigeminal Neuralgia be treated?
The initial stages of the condition can be treated with medications like anticonvulsants and antispasmodic agents to lessen or block the pain signals sent to your brain. But, if the condition is a little severe, or when medications don’t work, Botox injections and surgery are the other options. Surgical options include microvascular decompression, brain stereotactic radiosurgery, radiofrequency thermal lesioning, or balloon compression.
Get in touch with Maitri Hospital, which specializes in neurosurgery in Kota, where even the toughest of surgeries can be executed effectively. Some areas of specializations include head injuries, brain tumours, spinal cord tumours, slipped discs, and VP shunt.
