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. The pain seldom lasts more than a few seconds or a minute or two 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.
Trigeminal Neuralgia Causes
- The condition has no clear-cut cause.
- Some experts argue that the syndrome is caused by traumatic damage to the nerve as it passes from the openings in the skull to the muscles and tissue of the face. The damage compresses the nerve, causing the nerve cell to shed the protective and conductive coating (demyelination).
- Others believe the cause stems from biochemical change in the nerve tissue itself.
- A more recent notion is that an abnormal blood vessel compresses the nerve as it exits from the brain itself.
- In all cases, though, an excessive burst of nervous activity from a damaged nerve causes the painful attacks.
Symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia
Typically, a patient will have one or more of these symptoms:
- Intermittent twinges of mild pain.
- Severe episodes of searing, shooting, jabbing pain that feel like electric shocks.
- Sudden attacks of pains which are triggered by touching the face, chewing, speaking or
brushing teeth.
- Spasms of pain which last from a couple of seconds to a couple of minutes.
- Episodes of cluster attacks which may go on for days, weeks, months, and in some cases longer. There may be periods without any pain.
- Pain wherever the trigeminal nerve and its branches may reach, including the forehead, eyes, lips, gums, teeth, jaw and cheek.
- Pain which affects one side of the face.
- Pain on both sides of the face (much less common).
- Pain that is focused in one spot or spreads in a wider pattern.
- Attacks of pain which occur more regularly and intensely over time.
- Tingling or numbness in the face before pain develops.
Some patients may experience bouts of pain regularly for days, weeks or months at a time. Attacks of pain may occur hundreds of times each day in severe cases.
Some patients will have specific points on their face that if touched trigger attacks of pain. It is not uncommon for many patients to avoid potential triggering activities, such as eating, brushing their teeth, shaving, and even talking.
Medical Treatment
Trigeminal neuralgia is extremely painful but not life threatening. Thus, a goal of therapy is minimizing dangerous side effects.
Medications used to treat trigeminal neuralgia are those used for many other nerve pain syndromes-drugs originally designed to treat seizures.
Homeopathy medicines act well in trigeminal neuralgia. continues homeopathy treatment helps to cure the problem.
To get Homeopathy treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia
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