17 May 2019 Author : Raquel Gil-Gouveia Trigeminal neuralgia is characterised by pain : On one side of the face Intermittent Electric shock type Generally very intense Of short duration. It is a rare headache and: Is estimated to occur in about one million people worldwide Is most common after the age of 50 Affects women more than men. Causes of trigeminal neuralgia The trigeminal nerve is responsible for the sensitivity of the face. Trigeminal neuralgia is attributed to compression and consequent irritation of this nerve by contact with a normal blood vessel. Very rarely it may be due to: Inflammation A tumour Other nerve damage. Intense pain can have serious effects on patients' daily lives and be triggered by: Movements of the face, for example when talking or laughing Contact with the painful region (for example, washing face, brushing teeth, shaving or applying make-up). Symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia Unilateral pain is most commonly found: In the inferior region of the face and the lower jaw It can also affect the nose and forehead. The pain occurs suddenly and is very intense, described as: Excruciating A sharp shock or sting Sometimes physically and mentally incapacitating Short duration (few seconds). In the days before attacks, a tingling sensation may be noticeable in the same place. During attacks, pain can occur many times a day . These periods of pain can last for days, weeks or months and may be interspersed with very long periods of remission (months or years). Usually, they worsen over time and periods of remission become shorter. Diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia Generally, the diagnosis involves: The patient’s history A physical exam Imaging to determine the cause of irritation of the trigeminal nerve. Trigeminal neuralgia treatment The pain of trigeminal neuralgia does not respond to ordinary painkillers. Treatment requires specialised medical evaluation and monitoring. In general, it initially involves anticonvulsant drugs that prevent the transmission of impulses by the trigeminal nerve. If this is unsuccessful, more invasive procedures are used, including: Nerve blocks Surgery. Treatment of trigeminal neuralgia may also include acupuncture and other local techniques. Meet the neurology team from Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
