Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a chronic facial pain disorder that affects the trigeminal nerve, one of the largest and most important nerves in the head. It is often described as one of the most painful conditions known to medical science. The pain of TN can be so severe that it is sometimes referred to as the “suicide disease”.
What Does Trigeminal Neuralgia Pain Feel Like?
People who suffer from trigeminal neuralgia often describe the pain as an intense, stabbing, or shooting sensation that typically affects one side of the face. It can last for a few seconds or a few minutes, and the pain can be so severe that it causes people to cry out in pain. The intensity of the pain can range from mild to excruciating, and it can make simple everyday activities like brushing teeth and applying makeup very difficult.
Trigger Factors
Trigeminal neuralgia is often triggered by everyday activities such as talking, brushing teeth, eating, drinking, or even touching the face. Other possible triggers include exposure to cold air, wind, or direct sunlight, or being startled by a loud noise.
Treatment Options
Trigeminal neuralgia can be treated with medications, surgery, or a combination of both. Medications used to treat TN include anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, and tricyclic antidepressants. Surgery is an option for those who do not respond to medications or for whom the side effects of medications are too severe. Procedures such as radiofrequency ablation, stereotactic radiosurgery, and microvascular decompression can be used to treat TN.