Trigeminal Neuralgia & Craniofacial Pain
Severe, often sudden facial pain along the trigeminal nerve.
Overview
Trigeminal neuralgia causes sudden, severe, electric shock-like pain in the face, along the trigeminal nerve. The pain usually affects one side of the face and can be set off by everyday things such as eating, talking, brushing your teeth or a light touch. In many cases a blood vessel pressing on the nerve near the brainstem is the cause; less often it is linked to multiple sclerosis or a tumour.
Symptoms
- Sudden attacks of intense, stabbing or shock-like facial pain
- Pain in the cheek, jaw, teeth, gums, lips or around the eye
- Attacks triggered by touch, chewing, speaking or a breeze
- Episodes lasting seconds to minutes, sometimes in clusters
- Pain usually on one side of the face
Treatment options
Treatment usually begins with medication, which controls the pain for many people. When medication stops working or causes troublesome side effects, surgery is considered. Microvascular decompression moves the blood vessel away from the nerve and gives long-lasting relief for many patients. Less invasive options, such as needle-based procedures that target the nerve and focused radiation, are also available, depending on your health and preferences.