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Trigeminal NeuralgiaTable of Contents (click to jump to sections)What is Trigeminal Neuralgia? Is there any treatment? What is the prognosis? What research is being done? Organizations Additional resources from MEDLINEplus What is Trigeminal Neuralgia? Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), also called tic douloureux, is a chronic pain condition that causes extreme, sporadic, sudden burning or shock-like face pain that lasts anywhere from a few seconds to as long as 2 minutes per episode. The intensity of pain can be physically and mentally incapacitating. TN pain is typically felt on one side of the jaw or cheek. Episodes can last for days, weeks, or months at a time and then disappear for months or years. In the days before an episode begins, some patients may experience a tingling or numbing sensation or a somewhat constant and aching pain. The attacks often worsen over time, with fewer and shorter pain-free periods before they recur. The intense flashes of pain can be triggered by vibration or contact with the cheek (such as when shaving, washing the face, or applying makeup), brushing teeth, eating, drinking, talking, or being exposed to the wind. TN occurs most often in people over age 50, but it can occur at any age, and is more common in women than in men. There is some evidence that the disorder runs in families, perhaps because of an inherited pattern of blood vessel formation. Although sometimes debilitating, the disorder is not life-threatening. The presumed cause of TN is a blood vessel pressing on the trigeminal nerve in the head as it exits the brainstem. TN may be part of the normal aging process but in some cases it is the associated with another disorder, such as multiple sclerosis or other disorders characterized by damage to the myelin sheath that covers certain nerves. Is there any treatment? Because there are a large number of conditions that can cause facial pain, TN can be difficult to diagnose. But finding the
cause of the pain is important as the treatments for different types of pain may differ. Treatment options include medicines
such as anticonvulsants and tricyclic antidepressants, surgery, and complementary approaches. Typical analgesics and opioids
are not usually helpful in treating the sharp, recurring pain caused by TN. If medication fails to relieve pain or produces
intolerable side effects such as excess fatigue, surgical treatment may be recommended. Several neurosurgical procedures are
available. Some are done on an outpatient basis, while others are more complex and require hospitalization. Some patients
choose to manage TN using complementary techniques, usually in combination with drug treatment. These techniques include
acupuncture, biofeedback, vitamin therapy, nutritional therapy, and electrical stimulation of the nerves.
What is the prognosis? What research is being done? Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.
Prepared by: NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history. All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated. Last updated July 20, 2007 This information has been provided by The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). |