Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia causes intense, sharp, shock-like pain in the face, often triggered by light touch. It is a condition that requires careful diagnosis and management.

Read our guide to: Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia causes intense, sharp, shock-like pain in the face, often triggered by light touch. It is a condition that requires careful diagnosis and management.

Treatment and Care Options

Treatment focuses on managing the pain and stabilizing the nerve. Your doctor will determine the best approach based on the severity of your pain. Initial steps often include specialized medications (like anti-seizure drugs) taken exactly as prescribed. Lifestyle changes can include using customized mouthguards for dental care to prevent triggering pain. In more severe cases, procedures like neurostimulation (nerve stimulation) or surgery (microvascular decompression) may be necessary to relieve pressure on the nerve.

What Causes this Condition?

Trigeminal neuralgia causes severe facial pain due to the trigeminal nerve, which is the main nerve for sensation in the face. The exact cause is often unknown, but damage or irritation to this nerve, usually near where it exits the brain stem, is thought to be the root issue.

Nerve compression or irritation near the brain stem.
Changes in the small blood vessels surrounding the nerve.
Signs of other conditions like multiple sclerosis.