TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

General Information

DEFINITION--A nerve condition that causes brief, but often severe, face pain.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Nerve branches from the trigeminal or 5th cranial nerve (nerve from the brain that supplies sensation to the face, scalp, teeth, mouth and nose).

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Adults over 40, usually men.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS--Severe face pain, described as "jabbing" or "searing." Pain is often triggered by touching or stroking the face, brushing teeth, shaving, exposure to wind or chewing. Bouts of pain usually last 1 to 15 minutes. Attacks may occur several times a day, or may disappear for weeks or months. Between bouts, there is little or no discomfort.

CAUSES

• Pressure on the nerve from adjacent blood vessels (sometimes).
• Unknown (often).

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Multiple sclerosis.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Sjogren's syndrome (a chronic, inflammatory disorder).

HOW TO PREVENT--No specific preventive measures.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• X-rays of the head to rule out other conditions, such as brain tumor.

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• X-rays of the head to rule out other conditions, such as brain tumor.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS--Interference with normal activities from frequent, severe pain episodes.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Symptom relief is usually possible with medication; sometimes surgery may be required. A patient may experience pain-free intervals (months to years) and then the pain returns exactly as before.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• Following are suggestions for ways to prevent sudden pain: Avoid blasts of hot or cold air. Chew on the unaffected side of the mouth. Grow a beard.
• Assure good oral health with dental checkups at least twice a year.

MEDICATION--Your doctor may prescribe:

• Carbamazepine, an anticonvulsant; it is effective in treating trigeminal neuralgia.
• Baclofen for people who are sensitive to carbamazepine.

ACTIVITY--No restrictions.

DIET--No special diet.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.