Trigeminal nerve neuralgia is a painful medical condition that develops as the result of damage to the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve is responsible for most of the sensations of the face and outer surface of the eye. Symptoms of trigeminal nerve neuralgia normally involve short bursts of excruciating pain on one side of the face, particularly near the eye. While there is no cure for trigeminal nerve neuralgia, there are a variety of prescription medications that may help to reduce symptoms and lessen the frequency of attacks.
The pain associated with trigeminal nerve neuralgia is often described as feeling like there are short, intense bursts of electricity in the facial area. These attacks typically last only a few seconds at a time, although they can occur back to back in rapid succession. Many patients report this as the worst pain they have ever experienced.
Certain normal activities may trigger an attack of pain. Some of these activities may include chewing, shaving, or speaking. Even a slight breeze touching the face may trigger an attack in some people.
In many cases, the direct cause of trigeminal nerve neuralgia is never found. It is thought that abnormalities in blood vessels or swelling of the brain may be responsible for this condition in some patients. Trigeminal nerve neuralgia is more common in older patients or in patients who have multiple sclerosis, although anyone can develop this disorder.
The use of prescription medications are often helpful in managing the symptoms of trigeminal nerve neuralgia. Finding the right medication or combination of medications at the right doses for the individual can be tricky and time consuming because each patient responds differently to the various medication options. Drugs that are typically used for other conditions, such as epilepsy, depression, or migraines, are often helpful in reducing the severity of the attacks and may help to lower the frequency of the painful attacks as well.
If prescription medications do not provide adequate relief, surgical intervention or the use of injections may sometimes be used to treat trigeminal nerve neuralgia. Alcohol injections performed by a doctor may provide temporary symptom relief due to the numbing effects alcohol provides. Surgical intervention to damage the trigeminal nerve may provide longer pain relief in some patients, although some degree of permanent facial numbness may occur. The pain may return several months or years following surgery. A doctor can help the patient decide on the best individual treatment plan.
