Diseases
trigeminal neuralgia
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Overview
Trigeminal neuralgia is sudden, severe facial pain. It's often described as a sharp shooting pain or like having an electric shock in the jaw, teeth or gums. It usually happens in short, unpredictable attacks that can last from a few seconds to about 2 minutes. The attacks stop as suddenly as they start.
Symptoms
- episodes of severe, shooting pain that may feel like an electric shock
- attacks of pain lasting from a few seconds to several minutes
- pain that occurs with facial spasms
- spontaneous attacks of pain or attacks triggered by things such as touching
- pain affecting one side of the face at a time
Causes
- usually, the problem is contact between a normal blood vessel — in this case, an artery or a vein — and the trigeminal nerve at the base of your brain.
- this contact puts pressure on the nerve and causes it to malfunction.
Risk factors
- hypertension
- arteriosclerotic vascular changes
- familial history, and race
Diagnosis
- magnetic resonance imaging (mri).
- type. pain related to trigeminal neuralgia is sudden, shock-like and brief.
- a neurological examination.
Medicines used
Frequently asked questions
What is trigeminal neuralgia?
Trigeminal neuralgia is sudden, severe facial pain. It's often described as a sharp shooting pain or like having an electric shock in the jaw, teeth or gums. It usually happens in short, unpredictable attacks that can last from a few seconds to about 2 minutes. The attacks stop as suddenly as they start.
What are the symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia?
episodes of severe, shooting pain that may feel like an electric shock, attacks of pain lasting from a few seconds to several minutes, pain that occurs with facial spasms, spontaneous attacks of pain or attacks triggered by things such as touching, pain affecting one side of the face at a time
What causes trigeminal neuralgia?
usually, the problem is contact between a normal blood vessel — in this case, an artery or a vein — and the trigeminal nerve at the base of your brain.; this contact puts pressure on the nerve and causes it to malfunction.
Which medicines are used for trigeminal neuralgia?
carbamazepine
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