Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition that is characterized by chronic pain in the face. It is caused by malfunction of the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for sending sensations from your face to your brain. This condition is more common among women and is most likely to occur in people who are older than 50.
Symptoms
There are several different patterns of symptoms that could be indicative of trigeminal neuralgia. Your personal symptoms could include one or more of them, which include:
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Spontaneous attacks of pain
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Pain that is triggered by certain things, such as touching your face, chewing, speaking, or brushing your teeth
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Bouts of pain that can last from a few seconds to a few minutes
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Episodes of severe shooting or jabbing pain that can resemble the feeling of an electrical shock
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A constant aching or burning feeling that is less intense the the spasm-like pain
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Attacks that gradually become more intense and more frequent over time
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Pain that is either focused in one area or spread in a wider pattern
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Pain in areas that are supplied by the trigeminal nerve, including the cheek, jaw, teeth, gums, lips, eyes, or forehead
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Pain affecting one side of the face at a time
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Episodes of several attacks of pain that can last days, weeks, months, or even longer
When to See a Doctor
If you begin to experience any of the above patterns of symptoms and the pain is not able to be relieved with over-the-counter pain relievers, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. If your doctor suspects that you may have trigeminal neuralgia, he or she may refer you to a neurologist, which is a doctor who is trained in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect the brain and nervous system.
Preparing for Your Appointment
If you make an appointment because you are experiencing some of the symptoms that are common to trigeminal neuralgia, there are some things you can do to prepare yourself. These include:
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Making a list of all of the symptoms you have been experiencing, as well as how long you have been experiencing each type of symptom
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Paying attention to any triggers that seem to bring on your attacks of facial pain
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Writing down any other medical information that may be helpful, such as any other conditions you may have, and the names of all of the medications, vitamins, or other supplements you are currently taking
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Taking a friend or family member with you to help you remember all of the information that your doctor needs from you
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Writing down any questions you may have before the appointment
