Trigeminal Neuralgia – All That You Would Like To Know - Maitri Hospital

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What is Trigeminal Neuralgia? Trigeminal
Neuralgia is a condition where the patient
suffers from acute sporadic pain in the face. As
the name suggests, it is the malfunctioning of
the trigeminal nerve in the face that causes
this condition. This nerve is the largest nerve
in our head, which performs several functions
like transmitting impulses of pain, pressure,
temperature, and touch to the areas of the eyes,
forehead, gums, and jaws. So, when there is a
malfunctioning in this nerve, there is a sudden
stabbing electric shock like pain felt in the
face that lasts for a few seconds. This may
happen while brushing, eating, drinking,
swallowing, or even when a light breeze is felt
on the face. So, you can imagine how traumatic
the condition may be!

• What causes Trigeminal Neuralgia?
• While we know that Trigeminal Neuralgia is caused
  due to a problem in the trigeminal nerve in the
  brain, there is no actual known cause for what
  causes the problem. However, there could be
  certain possible reasons for the condition.
• Possible neurological conditions that negatively
  impact the myelin sheath
• Growth of a tumour on the trigeminal nerve
• A pressed blood vessel on the trigeminal nerve

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• What does Trigeminal Neuralgia feel like?
• As mentioned above, Trigeminal Neuralgia is a
  sudden, stabbing, sharp pain felt in the face
  that lasts for a few seconds, and then vanishes
  away on its own. Generally, the pain is felt on
  only one side of the face. But, there are cases
  where both sides of the face are affected,
  wherein different Trigeminal Neuralgia attacks
  hit different sides of the face at different
  times. The pain can strike at several times of
  the day.
• What can trigger Trigeminal Neuralgia?
• Activities like touching your face, brushing your
  teeth, putting on makeup, eating, drinking,
  swallowing, shaving, talking, washing your face,
  smiling, or encountering a breeze can all
  trigger the condition. While you cant stop doing
  all of the above things, one thing you can
  definitely do is visit a neurologist as soon as
  possible so that he can analyze your condition,
  and prescribe you the necessary treatment. This
  may include medications, injections, therapies,
  or neurosurgery in Kota.
• How can Trigeminal Neuralgia be diagnosed?
• Based on how you describe the pain you
  experience, the neurologist will conduct a
  variety of tests to diagnose the condition.
  Depending on the type of pain, parts of the face
  it is affecting, and the activities that trigger
  the condition, you may be asked to have any of
  the following tests
• A neurological examination Touching the part of
  the face you experience pain in will help
  analyze the condition of your trigeminal nerve.
• MRI An MRI scan of your head can determine is
  you have any kind of tumour or multiple
• sclerosis, which can help in better treatment.
• Any additional tests may be conducted to rule out
  other conditions.
• How can Trigeminal Neuralgia be treated?
• The initial stages of the condition can be
  treated with medications like anticonvulsants and
  antispasmodic agents to lessen or block the pain
  signals sent to your brain. But, if the
  condition is a little severe, or when medications
  dont work, Botox injections and surgery are the
  other options. Surgical options include
  microvascular decompression, brain stereotactic
  radiosurgery, radiofrequency thermal lesioning,
  or balloon compression.
• Get in touch with Maitri Hospital, which
  specializes in neurosurgery in Kota, where even
  the toughest of surgeries can be executed
  effectively. Some areas of specializations
  include head injuries, brain tumours, spinal
  cord tumours, slipped discs, and VP shunt.
• For more information, visit http//www.maitrihosp
  ital.com/