What is Trigeminal Neuralgia? How to manage it? What are the precautions to be taken? What are the signs and symptoms? What is the cause of this disease? How to treat it? How can homeopathy help you? All of this answered, in this post and of course our doctors always there to help you. Just fill in your details in the form down below and we will answer all your questions for FREE!
What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Trigeminal neuralgia is a nerve disorder causes facial pain.
Trigeminal neuralgia is the most frequently occurring of all the nerve pain disorders.
Trigeminal neuralgia pain comes and goes, like bursts of sharp, stabbing, electric-shocks. The pain can last for few seconds to a few minutes as well.
Trigeminal nerve is the fifth and largest cranial nerve having three branches – Ophthalmic nerve, Maxillary nerve and Mandibular nerve.
Trigeminal nerve supplies skin and mucous membrane of head and muscles of jaw. It transmits sensations from cornea of eye, tympanic membrane of ear, skin of the face, anterior two third of the tongue, mucous membrane of mouth, cheek and throat.
Who are more prone to get affected from Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Trigeminal neuralgia mostly affects women older than 50 years.
It can affect individuals of all the races.
What are the causes of Trigeminal Neuralgia?
• Usually the pain involves the lower face and jaw, but it may appear near other structures like nose, ears, eyes or lips.
• Trigeminal neuralgia can happen due to underlying conditions like multiple sclerosis
• The underlying pathology is demyelination (erosion of the nerve sheath) of the sensory nerve fibers of the Trigeminal Nerve.
• Pain of Trigeminal neuralgia can aggravate with mildest trigger factors from activities like Shaving, brushing teeth, talking, chewing and drinking
• A blood vessel causing pressure on the trigeminal nerve
• Tongue piercing
• Post viral, bacterial infections like herpes
• Conditions like multiple sclerosis which affects myelin sheath.
• Compression of the nerve due to tumor or a cyst
• Alcoholism
What are the indicators of Trigeminal Neuralgia?
• Episodic Pain
• Sudden severe episodes of shooting or stabbing pain that may feel like an electric shock
• Painful episodes triggered by activities such as washing the face, chewing, smiling or brushing teeth
• Pain lasts for few seconds to a few minutes
• Activities like Washing your face, shaving or brushing your teeth or even talking can trigger the pain.
• Unbearable pain in face (cheek, jaw, eyes) nose and throat
• Pain radiates over the face
• Recurrent episodes with mild trigger
• Anxiety and stress from fear of pain
• Saliva secretion reduces causing dryness of mouth.
• Dryness or irritation or ulcers of eyes due to less lachrymal secretions
What are the investigations advised in cases of Trigeminal Neuralgia?
• Physical examination, Physical findings in people with trigeminal neuralgia are normal.
• There is no specific investigation to diagnose trigeminal neuralgia.
• Neurological examination
• CT scan / MRI
• Routine blood test
• Electromyography, Nerve conduction velocity test
What treatment is suggested in Trigeminal Neuralgia?
• Anti-seizure
• Muscle relaxants
• Tri cyclic antidepressants
What is the prognosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Prognosis of the Trigeminal neuralgia varies depending upon the underlying cause. In case if there is unknown cause treatment can provide some relief to the patient.
What are the complications of Trigeminal Neuralgia?
•Mental and physical sluggishness
•Dizziness
•Disability to perform day to day activity
•Uncontrollable movements
• Abnormal eye movements
•Diarrhoea
•Constipation
What Homeopathy treatment is advised in Trigeminal Neuralgia?
• Aconite
• Belladonna
• Magnesium phosphorica
• Pulsatilla
• Spigelia
What diet and management is advised in Trigeminal Neuralgia?
• Avoiding any physical & mental stress and tension
• Avoiding triggers
• Avoiding direct air flow in face while travelling or sleeping
• Avoid cold exposures or temperatures and cold bath
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine
• Avoiding sudden jerky movements
• Maintaining a good oral hygiene
For more information, you can visit HealthLine and AANS.
