Trigeminal neuralgia

Now let me tell you about trigeminal neuralgia. I'm glad that I can help you. Let's begin explaining. What is facial trigeminal neuralgia? Trigeminal neuralgia is highly sensitive to various stimuli, especially cold stimuli. We advise patients to rinse with warm water and dress warmly in winter to avoid cold stimuli that can trigger pain attacks.

This disease is the most common type in clinical practice, and the widely accepted theory is that vascular compression of the trigeminal nerve leads to its functional impairment, although the exact cause cannot be determined. Primary trigeminal neuralgia has several factors, including: - Nerve damage, such as dental or surgical injury to the trigeminal nerve.

- Genetic predisposition, which may involve multiple genes. Symptoms may appear under certain stimulating factors. - Psychological stress, such as experiencing certain life events before onset, such as divorce, death of loved ones, or family discord. - Immune factors. Genes, emotions, and psychological stress can all cause immune dysfunction, leading to this disease.

What to do about trigeminal neuralgia? In terms of treatment principles, drug therapy is the preferred option for trigeminal neuralgia. For patients who do not respond to drug treatment, minimally invasive intervention or surgical treatment can be chosen. What to do about trigeminal neuralgia: 1. Have a regular diet.

2. Rinse mouth after meals. 3. Pay attention to keeping the head and face warm. 4. Maintain a positive mental state. 1. Have a regular diet with soft and easy-to-chew foods. For patients who experience pain while chewing, they should consume liquid food and avoid eating fried foods, as well as avoid consuming stimulating, overly acidic or sweet, and cold foods. The diet should be rich in nutrients, and foods that are rich in vitamins and have heat-clearing and detoxifying effects should be consumed. Eat more fresh fruits, vegetables, and legumes, and consume less fatty meat while preferring lean meat. The diet should be light.

2. Rinse mouth after meals, speak, brush teeth, and wash face gently to avoid triggering pain in the trigeminal nerve. Avoid consuming irritating foods such as onions. 3. Pay attention to keeping the head and face warm, avoid local exposure to cold or moisture, do not wash the face with excessively cold or hot water. Maintain emotional stability, avoid excitement, fatigue, staying up late, and listen to soothing music frequently. Keep a calm mood and ensure sufficient sleep.

4. Maintain a positive mental state, avoid mental stimulation, try to avoid touching the "trigger points". Maintain a regular daily routine, and the indoor environment should be quiet, clean, and have fresh air. The bedroom should not be exposed to cold winds. Engage in appropriate physical exercise to strengthen the body.

What is trigeminal neuralgia? Trigeminal neuralgia refers to a paroxysmal severe pain that occurs repeatedly within the distribution area of the trigeminal nerve. It used to be called tic douloureux because it was accompanied by facial twitching during pain episodes. It is classified into primary trigeminal neuralgia and secondary trigeminal neuralgia. The cause and pathogenesis of primary trigeminal neuralgia are still unclear, but it is believed to be related to lesions within the trigeminal ganglion and its sensory roots, as well as possible vascular malformations. Secondary trigeminal neuralgia is caused by intracranial space-occupying lesions, such as tumors, inflammation, trauma, or lesions in the branches of the trigeminal nerve. Another type is secondary trigeminal neuralgia caused by herpes zoster virus invading the trigeminal nerve. The treatment of primary trigeminal neuralgia mainly involves oral medications, with carbamazepine being the typical drug. The choice of oral medication depends on the severity of pain. If the condition is long-lasting and severe, affecting the patient's daily life, intervention treatment can be considered, including radiofrequency treatment of the trigeminal ganglion, gamma knife, and microvascular decompression surgery.

Trigeminal neuralgia manifests as sudden and severe pain, often in the cheek area of the face, resembling a cutting or burning sensation. The pain is extremely intense, and patients may avoid eating or performing facial hygiene tasks such as washing their face or brushing their teeth due to fear of triggering pain. Consequently, the patient's facial hygiene may deteriorate over time, and the constant massaging of the face may result in rough skin. The cause of trigeminal neuralgia is the compression of blood vessels on the trigeminal nerve as it exits the skull. As individuals age, arterial sclerosis can occur in these blood vessels, causing pulsating stimulation that leads to trigeminal neuralgia and abnormal discharge of the trigeminal nerve, resulting in these symptoms. Treatment options for trigeminal neuralgia include taking medications such as carbamazepine, gabapentin, or pregabalin. In cases of unbearable pain, surgical treatment may be necessary, with minimally invasive procedures used to locate the responsible blood vessel and provide relief by separating it from the nerve using a cotton pad.

What is trigeminal neuralgia, also known as "the world's most painful condition"? How painful is it? Trigeminal neuralgia, clinically known as "the world's most painful condition," is characterized by unbearable pain. It manifests as electric shock-like, cutting-like, needle-like, and burning-like pain. Patients with this condition find it difficult to communicate their medical history during outpatient visits and often have their family members speak on their behalf to avoid triggering the pain while talking. They try to avoid triggering the pain as much as possible in their daily activities, such as talking, washing their face, eating, chewing, or even being exposed to wind, as all of these can induce pain. These patients may even be too afraid to use a towel to wipe their faces, resulting in one side of their cheek being clean while the other side is covered in dirt.

Trigeminal neuralgia, as the name suggests, refers to the three branches of the trigeminal nerve. The first branch, also known as the first division, is located above the eyes and forehead. The second branch is between the eyes and upper lip. The third branch starts from the lower lip and extends upwards towards the front of the ear. These three branches collectively cause trigeminal neuralgia. Trigeminal neuralgia has several characteristics: it is triggered by touch, and patients may experience pain while brushing their teeth, washing their face, eating, or being exposed to wind. When a patient experiences these symptoms, it is likely trigeminal neuralgia. Furthermore, the pain is described as a stabbing, needle-like, or electric shock-like sensation. Each episode only lasts a few seconds, during which it feels like being pricked by 100 needles on the face. The pain subsides and returns to normal afterwards. Patients with trigeminal neuralgia may experience intense facial pain, sometimes described as an electric shock, stabbing, or tearing sensation. The pain is extremely severe.

For patients with trigeminal neuralgia, first, avoid triggers. Secondly, treatment should be targeted at the underlying primary disease that triggers trigeminal neuralgia, including controlling blood sugar and infections. Trigeminal neuralgia is often limited to the distribution area of the first or second branch of the trigeminal nerve, with the maxillary branch and mandibular branch being more common. During an attack, there is severe electric shock-like, needle-like, knife-like, or tearing-like pain in the cheeks, upper and lower jaw, and tongue, lasting for a few seconds or 1-2 minutes, with sudden onset and cessation, and completely normal intermission periods.

Severe cases can experience reflex spasms of the facial muscles due to pain, with the corner of the mouth being pulled towards the affected side. The course of the disease is periodic, with episodes lasting for several days, weeks, or months, with relief periods similar to those of normal individuals. As the disease progresses, the frequency and duration of episodes gradually increase, the intervals between episodes shorten, and it may even become continuous, with very rare spontaneous recovery.

Symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia are very obvious. Generally, the pain will immediately spread to one or several areas of the trigeminal nerve. The pain is often described as sharp, stabbing, or tearing, and it can be so severe that even drinking water can be painful. Many people may not realize that trigeminal neuralgia is a condition that should not be taken lightly. Let's take a closer look at the symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia and treat it early for the best outcome.

1. The early symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia include sudden onset of severe pain. Patients with trigeminal neuralgia often experience trigger points in the facial, oral, and jaw areas. In the early stages of trigeminal neuralgia, there will be sudden and intense shooting pain, which feels like a knife cut, burning, needle prick, or electric shock-like pain. It often occurs during talking, eating, or washing the face, and each episode lasts for a few seconds or several tens of seconds to 1-2 minutes. The pain immediately spreads to one or several areas of the trigeminal nerve.

2. The pain attacks of trigeminal neuralgia are limited to the distribution area of the trigeminal nerve. In the early stages of trigeminal neuralgia, symptoms are often unilateral, with the right side being more common and bilateral cases being rare. During the initial onset of trigeminal neuralgia, the pain may first concentrate in a specific distribution area.

3. Most trigeminal neuralgia patients have a specific area of skin sensitivity in the facial region. Even slight touch, muscle tension, or vibration of the face can trigger an attack. This sensitive area is limited to one or two points, known as "trigger points" or "trigger spots." A trigeminal neuralgia patient can have multiple trigger points. Early symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia often occur in the upper and lower lips, mouth corners, nostrils, cheeks, or gums on the affected side. Trigeminal neuralgia episodes can be triggered by activities such as talking, eating, washing the face, shaving, brushing teeth, or exposure to wind.

Etiology of Trigeminal Neuralgia Family Hereditary Theory (20%): Clinical reports have shown that out of 7 siblings in one family, 6 of them suffer from trigeminal neuralgia, with 2 of them experiencing bilateral pain. In another family, 3 out of 6 children and the mother have trigeminal neuralgia, with 2 of them experiencing bilateral pain. Therefore, it is believed that trigeminal neuralgia may be related to family hereditary factors. However, most scholars believe that this disease is not significantly associated with genetic factors and is unrelated to human race.

Virus Infection Theory (15%): The cerebral cortex is the highest center for body sensation, which has long been established. It explains the pain caused by lesions in any part of the trigeminal nerve system. Peripheral Pathology Theory (5%): Any lesion occurring in any part from the peripheral endings of the trigeminal nerve to the brainstem nucleus can affect the trigeminal nerve, leading to physiological dysfunction and organic changes in the central nervous system. This theory explains the occurrence of paroxysmal severe pain within the distribution area of the trigeminal nerve.

Central etiology theory (8%): The brain nuclei in the central part of the trigeminal system, the trigeminal spinal nucleus caudalis, and the cerebral cortex can all cause trigeminal neuralgia due to peripheral lesions and the damaging effects of the central nervous system. Allergic reaction theory (5%):

In 1967, Hanes proposed that trigeminal neuralgia, characterized by sudden onset and reversibility, might be a disease related to allergic reactions. Comprehensive etiological theory (5%): The above-mentioned theories are unable to satisfactorily explain the etiology of trigeminal neuralgia, to the extent that Dott (1951) believed that the cause of trigeminal neuralgia lies within the brainstem, where the action or stimulation of trigger points can cause short circuits to rapidly accumulate within the brainstem, thus leading to intense pain attacks.

The harm of trigeminal neuralgia. 1. These are the impacts that the pain of trigeminal neuralgia brings to people. 2. The impact of trigeminal neuralgia on the mental and psychological state of patients is extremely significant. Patients may gradually experience anxious and irritable moods, and a small number of people may become pessimistic, disappointed, emotionally low, unable to tolerate pain, and in a state of mental inhibition. In severe cases, suicidal thoughts may even occur.

3. Once trigeminal neuralgia occurs, whether it is acute or long-lasting pain, it can cause changes in the digestive system, autonomic nervous system, circulatory system, respiratory system secretion, and a series of physiological activities. It will constantly present paroxysmal pain, gradually affecting the head, and causing significant changes in the secretion of the central nervous system and other physiological activities.

Causes of trigeminal neuralgia Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition that some people may experience from time to time. However, some people may not pay much attention to it and think that the pain will subside on its own. They may not even know that it is trigeminal neuralgia. However, those who have experienced this condition before may know what it is, but they may not understand why it happens and wonder why it occurs despite not doing anything unusual. So, what are the causes of trigeminal neuralgia? Let's find out.

Causes of trigeminal neuralgia 1. Sometimes trigeminal neuralgia can be classified into primary and secondary types. Secondary trigeminal neuralgia has clear causes, such as inflammation of the trigeminal nerve or postherpetic neuralgia caused by shingles. Trauma or other infections can also cause trigeminal neuralgia, which falls under the category of secondary trigeminal neuralgia. These cases usually have identifiable reasons.

2. However, primary trigeminal neuralgia is of unknown cause, although sometimes there may be underlying factors. It is generally caused by the compression of blood vessels on the nerve. The trigeminal nerve itself has a myelin sheath, which is a layer of membrane that can undergo demyelination and compression due to blood vessel pressure. This compression can stimulate the nerve and cause pain. In cases of secondary trigeminal neuralgia, tumors may also cause compression and pain.

What are the symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia? 1. The pain of this disease often occurs without warning, coming and going suddenly like lightning. It is a sudden, short-lived, and intense pain that lasts from a few seconds to one or two minutes before abruptly stopping. After the pain stops, the patient is normal like anyone else.

2. The nature of the pain in trigeminal neuralgia varies, it can be tearing, burning, cutting, or stabbing, making the patient suffer greatly. 3. Trigeminal neuralgia can occur in periodic episodes. 4. About 50% of patients with trigeminal neuralgia have trigger points. Touching a certain area of the face can trigger the pain, often near the nostrils, upper lip, and teeth. It is so sensitive that the patient is afraid to wash their face, brush their teeth, get a haircut, eat, or talk, which severely affects their daily life and activities.

Sudden trigeminal neuralgia occurs without warning, and the pain comes suddenly like lightning, with intense cutting, tearing, or burning pain. In severe cases, it is accompanied by facial muscle reflexive spasms, facial redness, conjunctival congestion, tearing, and drooling. The pain mostly occurs during the day, lasting from a few seconds to several minutes, and there are no symptoms during the intermission period. It suddenly relapses after a period of time. Secondary trigeminal neuralgia symptoms are not as typical as primary trigeminal neuralgia. The onset is younger, the pain is continuous, and there may be hearing impairment, facial muscle spasms, or paralysis. Prompt treatment is necessary for this type of trigeminal neuralgia.

Guidance: The pain feels like being pricked by needles or struck by lightning. 1) Paroxysmal severe pain in the distribution area of the trigeminal nerve in the face, lasting from a few seconds to 1-2 minutes, with the same pain pattern each time. 2) The pain can be triggered by the movement of the mouth or tongue or external stimulation, often with "trigger points" located on the lips, nostrils, eyebrows, and inside the mouth.

3) Approximately 60% of patients have tears and drooling on the same side as the pain during an attack. Facial muscles may experience uncontrollable spasms. Some patients may have redness, heat, and about 2.7% may experience coolness or severe itching during the pain. 4) The pain is localized in one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve on one side of the face, with the right side and the second and third branches being more common. Bilateral pain is rare (0.6%-5.3%), and it is more common for one side to be mild while the other side is severe.

5) The pain occurs in periodic attacks, with pain-free periods (lasting from a few days to several years) gradually becoming shorter. It gradually affects eating and resting, to the point where the pain becomes unbearable, and spontaneous remission is rare. Characteristics: Sudden onset, without any warning signs, often occurring on one side. During an attack, the pain is intense, like being cut with a knife or electrocuted, lasting from a few seconds to 1-2 minutes. It is often accompanied by facial muscle spasms, tearing, drooling, facial flushing, and conjunctival congestion.

Doctor's inquiry: Trigeminal neuralgia is a paroxysmal severe neuralgia that occurs repeatedly in the distribution area of the trigeminal nerve in the head and face. The characteristics of this disease are sudden, abrupt, lightning-like, cutting, burning, stubborn, and unbearable pain in the trigeminal nerve distribution area. Speaking, brushing teeth, or a breeze touching the face can all cause paroxysmal pain. Trigeminal neuralgia patients often dare not wash their face, eat, or even swallow saliva, which affects their normal life and work.

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