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What is trigeminal neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia is usually called a chronic disease, which is manifested by severe pain in the face – in the zone of innervation of the trigeminal nerve. The nerve, in turn, is mixed, divided into three branches: upper, lower and middle.
As tells neurosurgeon Pavel Trushinneurosurgeons meet with this disease very often. Many people come to them with this very problem.
There are two types of trigeminal neuralgia:
- primary, otherwise it is called idiopathic – it occurs on its own, without other diseases;
- secondary, in a different way – symptomatic – this type as a result of other diseases, more often it is associated with the presence of a brain tumor.
Causes of trigeminal neuralgia in adults
There are several causes of trigeminal neuralgia:
- infringement of the trigeminal nerve – this can occur due to trauma to the temporomandibular joint and due to the presence of brain tumors, the proximity of the vessel and nerve;
- viral infection.
“The main reasons are, of course, injuries, formations in the brain and the proximity of blood vessels and nerves,” says neurosurgeon Pavel Trushin.
Symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia in adults
According to a neurosurgeon, the main symptom of trigeminal neuralgia is pain in the face of a burning character, which can be caused by hypothermia, brushing your teeth, touching your face, shaving in men.
– The trigeminal nerve is responsible for the innervation of half of the face, as mentioned above, there are different branches of this nerve – upper, middle, lower. Pain with neuralgia of this nerve is unbearable. Sometimes people cannot even shave, brush their teeth – any touch to the skin can cause severe burning pains that bring suffering to a person, says Pavel Trushin.
It is also worth noting that acute pain can manifest itself in attacks – from 10 seconds to 2 minutes. People who have experienced neuralgia of this nerve can only chew food with the healthy side.
Treatment of trigeminal neuralgia in adults
Trigeminal neuralgia is treated in two main ways.
Diagnostics
– You can’t confuse the symptoms of the trigeminal nerve with anything. A person comes with severe pain and it is clear that the person is suffering. The main diagnostic method is MRI, a special program for neurovascular conflict, continues Pavel Trushin. – The diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia can be made based on its results.
Modern treatments
As a rule, two methods of treatment are used in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia:
- Conservative.
In this case, the neurologist prescribes drugs for neuropathic pain, mainly Carbamazepine. There are even more modern drugs – Gabapentin, Lyrica. Note that the medicines are selected by the doctor individually.
- Surgical.
If trigeminal neuralgia occurs as a result of a neurovascular conflict, when a vessel inside the skull is tightly attached to the trigeminal nerve, or conservative treatment does not work, then a neurosurgical operation is performed. It’s called microvascular.
– During the operation, we separate the nerve and the vessel, usually a vein, and put a Teflon gasket between them, which protects the nerve. In most cases, this method either reduces the intensity of pain, or removes it completely. But surgery is not a panacea, so the patient will need to take medication in the future. After operations, relapses are possible, the problem of trigeminal neuralgia is quite complicated, – says neurosurgeon Pavel Trushin.
Prevention of trigeminal neuralgia in adults at home
As the doctor notes, there is no specific prevention of trigeminal neuralgia. But still there are general recommendations:
- avoid drafts;
- avoid facial injuries;
- seek medical help in time for the treatment of diseases of the ENT organs.
Popular questions and answers
Answered popular questions about trigeminal neuralgia neurosurgeon of the highest category, Ph.D. Pavel Trushin.