Trigeminal Nerve Pain

Trigeminal Nerve Pain

Trigeminal neuralgia and neuropathic pain are debilitating neurological condition characterized by severe, episodic facial and dental pain that arises along the distribution of the trigeminal nerve, often triggered by mild stimuli such as touch, chewing, or speaking. The pain is typically described as sharp, electric shock-like, and can last from seconds to minutes, making daily activities extremely challenging. Other conditions related to nerve pain in the head and neck include occipital neuralgia, which involves sharp, throbbing pain at the base of the skull that may radiate to the scalp, and other neuropathic pain syndromes. Common causes of trigeminal neuralgia may include blood vessel compression on the trigeminal nerve, multiple sclerosis, or other nerve damage. Treatments focus on managing pain and may involve medications such as anticonvulsants (e.g., carbamazepine), muscle relaxants, and sometimes antidepressants for neuropathic pain. For refractory cases, procedural options like nerve blocks, microvascular decompression surgery, or gamma knife radiosurgery may be considered. Comprehensive management often requires a multidisciplinary approach to improve both the pain and the patients’ quality of life and functionality.