What Is Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Trigeminal neuralgia is the severe pain arising in the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve is the largest of the cranial nerves. It has three main branches namely ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular branch. The pain can arise in any area distributed by any one of the branches. The pain occurs in episodes which lasts for a few seconds. Pain is of high-intensity resembling that of electric shocks. It is also known as ‘tic douloureux’. The precise root of trigeminal neuralgia is controversial. However, having diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia doesn’t limit your activities. With the help of right medications one can lead a pain free life.
Distribution of trigeminal nerve:
The pain is felt along the line of distribution of the trigeminal nerve. The areas supplied by the nerve as follows; area around the frontal region, around the eyes, along the side of nose, lips, cheeks, in the mandible. Touching of these areas in daily routine can trigger the trigeminal neuralgia. Day-to day activities like brushing, eating, application of make-up can trigger the pain attack.
Know about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of trigeminal neuralgia, presented to you by 3MEDS-online medicine order app Delhi.
Causes of Trigeminal Neuralgia:
Trigeminal neuralgia is classified based on underlying neurologic disease into Classic Trigeminal Neuralgia and Symptomatic Trigeminal Neuralgia. The classic trigeminal neuralgia is not associated with any underlying neurologic disease, whereas, in symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia, there exists an underlying neurologic disease.
Multiple causes have been attributed to trigeminal neuralgia.
· The most widely accepted theory is that a majority of cases of classic trigeminal neuralgia is caused by an atherosclerotic blood vessel pressing on and grooving the root of the trigeminal nerve. This pressure results in focal demyelization and hyper-excitability of nerve fibres, which will then fire in response to light, touch, resulting in brief episodes of intense pain.
· Age factor also plays in the onset of trigeminal neuralgia. People aged above 50 are more prone for this neuralgia.
· Compression of the trigeminal neuralgia by tumour.
· Compression of the nerve by swollen blood vessel.
· Damage to the nerve during surgery, facial trauma or stroke.
· Any underlying lesions of the brain.
Trigger factors for Trigeminal Neuralgia:
Touching of face, shaving, sound, breeze, eating, drinking, application of makeup, brushing, smiling, showering can trigger the pain.
Symptoms of Trigeminal Neuralgia:
· The classic symptom is, episodes of intense shooting, stabbing pain that lasts for a few seconds, and then completely disappears.
· The pain is often unilateral except in few percentages of people where the pain can appear on both the sides of the face.
· The pain appears either spontaneously or in episodes which feels like bouts of electric shock.
· Any feathery touch on the trigger zones, which are the areas along the distribution of the nerve, can precipitate the pain.
· Often people tend to cover the trigger zone with the help of piece of clothing or with their hand.
· Trigger zones can also be present intraoral which is more likely to be confused with dental pain.
· The series of pain attacks may last for weeks to months, followed by remission.
· The frequency of the pain attacks progresses, if immediate attention is not paid.
· Constant burning or aching of the areas.
Diagnosing the Trigeminal Neuralgia:
Careful examination along with detailed history of the pain will help your doctor to arrive at the proper diagnosis. Medical history is important to rule out other neuralgias and referred headaches.
Other tests such as electrophysiological testing, injection of anaesthetic blocks, MRI to visualize vascular abnormalities.
Treatments of the Trigeminal Neuralgia:
· Medications: initial therapy consists of a trial of drugs that are effective in eliminating the painful attacks. Buy medication online Delhi in discount. Anticonvulsant drugs are most often used and are most active. Carbamazepine is the most common drug used. The drug is administered in ascending doses until pain relief is achieved. Pregabalin, a new gabapentin potent synthetic analogue, may be useful.
Other drugs that are effective for some patients include phenytoin, lamotrigine, baclofen, topiramate, and pimozide. Buy pain medication online Delhi, from 3MEDS.
· Surgery: Ineffectiveness of drug therapy requires surgical intervention. Surgical procedures for treating trigeminal neuralgias are as follows: Glycerol Injection, Microvascular Compression, Gamma Knife Surgery, And Stereotactic Radiosurgery, Radiofrequency Thermal Lesioning, Severing or Relocating the Decompressing Nerve.
Outlook:
Regular follow-up of appointments and intake of medications will prevent the frequency of the painful attacks. In severe cases, it may require surgical correction. Having trigeminal neuralgia doesn’t mean you are doomed for life. Do not worry and consult your doctor for early intervention.