Trigeminal Neuralgia Information Page
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What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Trigeminal neuralgia, also called tic douloureux, is a condition that affects the trigeminal nerve (the 5th cranial nerve), one of the largest nerves in the head. The trigeminal nerve is responsible for sending impulses of touch, pain, pressure, and temperature to the brain from the face, jaw, gums, forehead, and around the eyes. Trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by a sudden, severe, electric shock-like or stabbing pain typically felt on one side of the jaw or cheek. The disorder is more common in women than in men and rarely affects anyone younger than 50. The attacks of pain, which usually last several seconds and may be repeated one after the other, may be triggered by talking, brushing teeth, touching the face, chewing, or swallowing. The attacks may come and go through out the day and last for days, weeks, or months at a time, and then disappear for months or years.
Is there any treatment?
Treatment for trigeminal neuralgia typically includes anticonvulsant medications such as carbamazepine or phenytoin. Baclofen, clonazepam, gabapentin, and valproic acid may also be effective and may be used in combination to achieve pain relief. If medication fails to relieve pain, surgical treatment may be recommended.
What is the prognosis?
The disorder is characterized by recurrences and remissions, and successive recurrences may incapacitate the patient. because of the intensity of the pain, even the fear of an impending attack may prevent activity. Trigeminal neuralgia is not fatal.
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