What is Trigeminal Neuralgia
The Trigeminal Nerve is one of 12 pairs of cranial nerves that emerge from the brain. This nerve allows you to feel facial sensations. Each nerve that runs on either side of the face is further divided into three branches, which control sensations in different areas of your face.
- The Ophthalmic branch: Deals with sensations in your eyes and forehead.
- The Maxillary branch: Associated with sensations in your lower eyelid, cheek, nostril, top lip, and gum.
- The Mandibular branch: Transmits sensations of your jaw, lower lip, lower gum, and some muscles used for masticulation.
Trigeminal Neuralgia Meaning nerve pain can occur in any of these three branches, causing pain, tingling, or tenderness on your forehead, in your ears, in your eyes (you feel it most above your eyes), in your jaws, and at the base of your neck.
Around 30 million people worldwide are thought to be affected by nerve pain. Trigeminal neuralgia causes severe pain on one side of the head. The pain is debilitating and can feel like an electric shock. The pain can start suddenly or by a triggering factor such as brushing your teeth, shaving, or even chewing.
The pain can last from seconds to minutes. The pain is usually recurring and occurs in waves with periods of respite in between. This pain can be so intense and debilitating that it is often referred to as suicide disease.
What Causes Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuropathy occurs in 95% of cases when an artery, vein, or blood vessel compresses the nerve. The resulting pressure could cause the nerve to be compressed or the protective sheath surrounding the nerve to become damaged or eroded.
Other causes of nerve pain include:
- Many Multiple Sclerosis patients (MS) are thought to also have TN. MS is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks and damages the myelin. Other autoimmune disorders include Rheumatoid arthritis, Eczema, Psoriasis, etc.
- Nerve pain can be caused by viral infections such as Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), HSV, and Shingles. On entering the body, the viruses are thought to colonize the nerves causing pain and disruption of impulses.
- High blood pressure, anxiety, and depression can increase pressure in the arteries, causing pain.
- Nerve pain can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, especially magnesium and Vitamin B12 since these nutrients play a vital role in maintaining healthy nervous systems.
- Nerve damage can result from surgery or other internal or external injuries to the face or brain.
- If the nerve is affected in an unwarranted way, dental infections can lead to TN.
- Women in menopause, those on hormonal replacement therapy, or those taking birth control pills may be more susceptible to neuropathic symptoms. Hormones affect everything from synaptic connections to neurotransmitter release.
- Food that is too hot or too cold.
- In addition, nerve pain can be caused by eating foods that cause diarrhea or constipation. These conditions lead to inflammation of the mucosa of the intestine, resulting in nutrient malabsorption.
- Constant exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF), loud noises, and heavy machinery can cause nerve damage and pain.
- Compression and pain can be caused by tumors or cysts on the nerve.
Trigeminal Neuralgia Symptoms
pain is the most common symptom in TN. The afflicted neuron sends intense pain signals to the brain whenever a trigger factor is present. Patients describe the pain as stabbing, exploding, or shooting. The duration of the pain can range from a couple of seconds to several minutes. The pain has been observed to increase as the condition advances. Patients may experience a tingling, numbing, or burning sensation prior to the pain episode. Others will have a persistent dull ache in between episodes. Trigger factors can be simple everyday activities like:
- Shaving
- Brushing
- Makeup is a great way to enhance your appearance.
- Chewing food
- The following are some words of wisdom:
- Face-touching
Even a cool breeze can trigger an attack. TN is progressive, and attacks increase in frequency and duration as the condition progresses.
Treatment Options for Trigeminal Neuralgia
treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia can provide symptomatic relief by reducing the pain and the number of attacks. TN is a nerve-related condition, so painkillers won’t work. Some of the medications used to treat the condition include anti-seizure drugs, muscle relaxants, antiepileptic drugs, and tricyclic antidepressants.
Surgery is recommended if pain medication does not work. Surgical intervention can cause other complications, such as the formation of scars and the loss of other functions.
Alternative and complementary medicines are also effective in treating trigeminal symptoms. The growing research on Natural Ingredients identifies many effective herbs and nutritional supplements that relieve pain. Biogetica combines traditional ayurvedic ingredients, advanced resonance homeopathic components, and ground-breaking nutraceuticals to work in synergy for pain relief. It is believed that these products exert their influence through a decrease in nerve sensitivity. Specialized ingredients nourish and protect the nerves. For more information about our health protocols, or for expert advice on any concerns you may have regarding your health, contact our doctors 24/7 at www.biogetica.com.