A SEVERE NERVE PAIN CONDITION
Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) is a chronic pain condition affecting the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from your face to your brain. It is widely considered to be one of the most painful conditions known, characterized by sudden, excruciating, electric shock-like facial pain. The attacks can be triggered by the slightest touch, making everyday activities like talking or eating unbearable. We understand the debilitating impact of TN. Our goal is to provide an accurate diagnosis and offer advanced, minimally invasive treatments designed to interrupt the faulty pain signals and give you back control of your life.
ROOT CAUSES
Trigeminal Neuralgia is most often caused by compression of the nerve at the base of the brain, which damages its protective coating and leads to erratic, painful signals.
The most common cause. A healthy blood vessel, typically an artery, presses on the trigeminal nerve at the brainstem. The artery's pulsations can wear away the nerve's protective sheath, causing it to misfire.
MS can cause the deterioration of the myelin sheath around the trigeminal nerve, leading to the same type of painful, erratic nerve signals.
In rare cases, a benign tumor, cyst, or other lesion can press on the trigeminal nerve and trigger the classic symptoms of TN.
Although less common, facial trauma or nerve damage from sinus, oral, or other surgeries can sometimes lead to the development of TN.
RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS
The symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia are unmistakable and are often described as the most severe pain imaginable. The attacks are typically brief but can occur in rapid, agonizing succession.
The hallmark symptom: sudden, severe, stabbing, or electric shock-like episodes of facial pain that last from seconds to a few minutes.
Pain attacks are often set off by light stimulation of specific "trigger zones" on the face, such as from talking, chewing, brushing teeth, or a cool breeze.
The pain is almost always confined to one side of the face, affecting the areas supplied by the nerve, such as the cheek, jaw, teeth, gums, and forehead.
The condition often has a relapsing and remitting course, with periods of frequent attacks followed by weeks, months, or even years with no pain.
Some people experience a less common form (TN2) with a more constant, aching, or burning background pain between the severe attacks.
For many patients, the attacks of pain can become more frequent and intense over time, and the periods of remission may shorten or disappear.
The excruciating pain of trigeminal neuralgia can bring your life to a standstill. You do not have to live in fear of the next attack. We understand the severity of this condition and specialize in advanced treatments that can block the faulty pain signals at their source. There is hope for lasting relief. Contact us to learn about a plan to manage your TN.