Pain in the mouth

Trigeminal neuralgia can cause intense pain

trigeminal neuralgia


Trigeminal neuralgia is a cause of facial pain. Trigeminal neuralgia, also called tic douloureux, is characterized by very sharp, episodic, intense, shooting, electrical pain in the face.

 

Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition in which the trigeminal nerve is affected, irritated, or damaged. This nerve is one of the largest and most important sensory nerves we have in the head and face - it is responsible for sending sensory information to the brain regarding touch, pressure and temperature from the face, jaw, forehead and around the eyes. So when we get a nerve irritation (neuralgia) of the trigeminal nerve, this can naturally lead to very intense pain.

 

- What is a neuralgia?

A neuralgia is by definition an episodic nerve irritation that causes intense nerve pain in the affected nerve pathway. The most common neuralgia diagnosis is trigeminal neuralgia, but also shingles (post-herpes neuralgia) can cause very intense pain in the affected nervous system. Other causes may be diabetes, multiple sclerosis, infection or drug side effects.

Pain in the Nerves - Nerve Pain and Nerve Injury 650px


- What is the cause of trigeminal neuralgia?

The most common cause of trigeminal neuralgia is pressure from a vein near the brain stem. Over time, we get changes in the blood vessels of the brain, which can cause them to directly or indirectly irritate / affect the nearby trigeminal nerve. In the case of direct irritation, the blood vessel lies against the nerve's insulating membrane (myelin) and at each heartbeat, the blood vessel will expand and cause nerve irritation. It is said that this rubbing can gradually destroy the isolation around the nerve itself. Other causes may be tumors or multiple sclerosis.

 

Signs and symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia

The characteristic symptom of the condition is a sudden, incredibly intense, almost shock-like, pain that can last for several seconds. The pain and pain can be felt on the face, around the lips, eyes, nose, scalp and forehead. Everyday chores such as brushing your teeth, putting on makeup, swallowing or just lightly tapping your face can produce the symptoms.

 

- One of the most painful diagnoses

The pain presentation is of such a nature that trigeminal neuralgia is ranked as one of the most intense and painful diagnoses available. Normally, the condition will hit one side, but some people may experience the pain alternating on both sides. The pain can occur repetitively, on and off, through days, weeks and even months. In some cases, each pain presentation may take months or years.

 

- Women over 50 most vulnerable

The condition affects both women and men, but is most common among women and rarely affects people under 50 years.

Male over 50 with trigeminal neuralgia

- How is trigeminal neuralgia diagnosed?

It can be used imaging in the form of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to see if the cause of nerve irritation is a tumor or multiple sclerosis.

 

Apart from imaging diagnostic examination for these two causes, there are no tests that, with 100% certainty, can detect trigeminal neuralgia - but clinical tests will rule out other causes and differential diagnoses. This combined with the patient's symptoms makes the condition relatively easy to diagnose.

 

- What is the treatment for trigeminal neuralgia?

The treatment can be divided into drug treatment, neurosurgery and conservative treatment. Of medical treatment we find non-prescription drugs, but also prescription drugs, including antiepileptic drugs (tegretol aka carbamazepine, neurontin aka gabapentin). Of pain killers, clonazepam (-pam is the same ending as diazepam, Valium, an antidepressant and anxiety suppressant tablet) is often used, which is reported to be able to provide pain relief in combination with other medications. Antidepressants are also used in the treatment of neuralgia. In some extreme cases it may be necessary neurosurgical procedures, but then it is very important - due to the relatively high risk of injuries and the like - that one has tried everything else of conservative treatment and the like first. Of surgical intervention so can also blockade therapy be an opportunity.


Av conservative treatment methods so mention reputable National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke the following modalities; dry needle, physical therapy, chiropractic joint correction and hypnosis / meditation. These treatments can help the affected person with muscle tension and / or joint restrictions in the jaw, neck, upper back and shoulders - which can provide symptom relief and functional improvement.

 

What can I do even for muscle and joint pain?

1. General exercise, specific exercise, stretching and activity are recommended, but stay within the pain limit. Two walks a day of 20-40 minutes make good for the whole body and sore muscles.

2. Trigger point / massage balls we strongly recommend - they come in different sizes so you can hit well even on all parts of the body. There is no better self help than this! We recommend the following (click the image below) - which is a complete set of 5 trigger point / massage balls in different sizes:

trigger point balls

3. Training: Specific training with training tricks of various opponents (such as this complete set of 6 knits of different resistance) can help you train strength and function. Knit training often involves more specific training, which in turn can lead to more effective injury prevention and pain reduction.

4. Pain Relief - Cooling: Biofreeze is a natural product that can relieve pain by cooling the area gently. Cooling is especially recommended when the pain is very severe. When they have calmed down then heat treatment is recommended - it is therefore advisable to have both cooling and heating available.

5. Pain Relief - Heating: Warming up tight muscles can increase blood circulation and reduce pain. We recommend the following reusable hot / cold gasket (click here to read more about it) - which can be used both for cooling (can be frozen) and for heating (can be heated in the microwave).

 

Recommended products for pain relief for muscle and joint pain

Biofreeze spray-118Ml-300x300

Biofreeze (Cold / cryotherapy)

 

Recent research has also shown that gentle ultrasound treatment can restore Alzheimer's patients to full memory function by triggering the body's own immune cells. Maybe this too - over time - can be done against trigeminal neuralgia?

 

Also read: - New Alzheimer's Treatment Restores Full Memory Function!

Alzheimer's disease

Also read: - Is it tendonitis or tendon injury? Did you know that the treatment for the two is completely different?

Is it a tendon inflammation or tendon injury?

Also read: - Sore face? Here are the possible causes!

Sinusitis

 

Sources:

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Trigeminal Neuralgia Fact Sheet.