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Trigeminal Neuralgia
How is trigeminal neuralgia treated?
After the onset of trigeminal neuralgia, medication is the first choice of treatment. If the effect of medication is poor, surgical treatment can be considered. There are two methods of surgical treatment. One is radiofrequency treatment, which physically destroys the trigeminal nerve but often relapses after surgery. The other method is microvascular decompression surgery of the trigeminal nerve under a microscope. This surgery requires craniotomy under general anesthesia. Under the microscope, the trigeminal nerve and the blood vessel pressing on it are identified, and then a special material is used to separate the two, so the blood vessel cannot irritate the trigeminal nerve, and thus, the pain is alleviated.
How to relieve trigeminal neuralgia
For patients with trigeminal neuralgia, there are many methods to achieve pain relief. For example, in the early stages of the disease, treatment can be administered through oral medication. Taking appropriate medications can effectively relieve pain and also reduce the frequency and occurrence of trigeminal neuralgia attacks. At the same time, some physical therapies such as massage, tuina, physiotherapy, acupuncture, and electrotherapy can significantly alleviate the pain. Of course, to achieve complete cure, surgical methods are recommended for treatment. We generally advise patients to undergo microvascular decompression surgery, through which the vast majority of patients can achieve good therapeutic effects.
How is trigeminal neuralgia diagnosed?
The diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia is mainly based on the patient's clinical symptoms. It is mostly characterized by transient pain around the bilateral nasal root and corners of the mouth. There are generally no obvious prodromal symptoms before an attack; the pain occurs suddenly and stops suddenly. The nature of the pain is quite sharp, resembling knife-like cuts or a burning stabbing sensation. There are generally no significant signs before an onset, and the duration of an attack varies, lasting from a few seconds to several seconds, and even up to one or two minutes. Most patients experience sudden attacks and sudden cessation. Additionally, recurrent attacks can lead to severe adverse symptoms in patients and may even cause psychosomatic illnesses.
Does trigeminal neuralgia cause facial swelling?
Patients with trigeminal neuralgia may also experience slight swelling on their face, but it is not very obvious. This is because the nerve also has a special function, which is to provide nourishment. When the facial area innervated by the trigeminal nerve shows abnormal signs, the facial nerves in this area will become affected, leading to malnutrition and eventually causing facial swelling. However, such swelling is usually not very severe. If there are other factors involved, the swelling could become more serious. For instance, it could be due to a gum infection triggering trigeminal neuralgia, or pressure caused by other tumors. Therefore, the best approach is to visit a hospital promptly for relevant examinations to clarify the cause, which is the best for the patient.
Does trigeminal neuralgia cause facial swelling?
For patients with trigeminal neuralgia, when they frequently experience bouts of pain, most do not have significant facial swelling. The pain typically occurs distinctly in the areas distributed by the trigeminal nerve roots, often starting and stopping suddenly, and each episode may last from a few seconds to several minutes. Due to repeated pain, facial muscle atrophy may occur, but generally, there is no swelling of the face. For treating trigeminal neuralgia, surgery is commonly used. Microvascular decompression surgery is often recommended to help improve symptoms and can even achieve a clinical cure.
How to relieve trigeminal neuralgia pain
For patients with trigeminal neuralgia, to achieve pain relief, initially, one can treat the disease by taking medication. Simultaneously, it is also appropriate to combine some physical therapies such as massage, tuina, physiotherapy, acupuncture, and electrotherapy. Acupuncture, in particular, helps significantly in relieving pain and improving symptoms. Moreover, to achieve a complete cure, it is advisable to opt for surgical methods. Clinically, it is generally recommended to choose microvascular decompression surgery for treatment. Most patients with trigeminal neuralgia can achieve desirable outcomes after undergoing surgery. Additionally, patients with trigeminal neuralgia should be careful with their diet and avoid overly greasy, spicy, and irritating foods. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)
Where to massage for trigeminal neuralgia?
Trigeminal neuralgia is a stubborn and hard-to-treat condition in clinical practice. Sometimes symptoms can be alleviated through massage. Which acupoints should be massaged? For severe eye branch pain, you can massage Jingming, Sibai, Yangbai, and Touwei acupoints. If the pain is in the maxillary branch, you can massage Yingxiang, Quanliao, Xiaguan, and Tinggong acupoints. For severe mandibular branch pain, massage Chengjiang, Dicang, and Jiache acupoints, meaning the massage technique should progress from gentle to firm.
Trigeminal neuralgia physiotherapy methods
For patients with trigeminal neuralgia, in addition to pharmacological treatment, some physical therapies can also be combined, such as massage, acupressure, physiotherapy, acupuncture, and electrotherapy. These physical therapies can help reduce the incidence of trigeminal neuralgia and improve symptoms. It is recommended to undergo physical therapy under the guidance of a professional physician, which can play a supporting role. Of course, physical therapy cannot replace surgical treatment. If the goal is complete treatment, it is advised to undergo microvascular decompression surgery, which plays a crucial role in alleviating pain and stabilizing the condition. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician and do not self-medicate.)
Trigeminal neuralgia symptoms
Regarding the symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia, there is a very typical symptom, which is the issue of trigger points. A trigger point is a specific spot on the face, which varies for each person. Once this spot is touched, it immediately triggers the pain of trigeminal neuralgia. The nature of trigeminal neuralgia pain is often like cutting or stabbing pain, and the duration varies. If the condition is mild, the initial attack may only last a few seconds, but if the condition gradually worsens without significant improvement, the pain can even last for several minutes. This pain significantly impacts patients, sometimes triggering pain during activities such as brushing teeth, rinsing the mouth, or chewing hard food. Early treatment is essential to mitigate this pain.
Trigeminal neuralgia?
Trigeminal neuralgia is not uncommon in clinical settings; pain can often occur due to compression by blood vessels or tumor tissues. In addition, infections that irritate the trigeminal nerve can also cause pain. Therefore, it is essential to make assessments based on the specific conditions. In clinical practice, the initial treatment for trigeminal neuralgia typically involves oral medications. If there is no significant improvement with oral medications, further comprehensive examinations are necessary. Treatment options may include sphenopalatine ganglion block technique, microvascular decompression surgery, and craniotomy tumor removal surgery, among other measures. Thus, for trigeminal neuralgia, there are various treatment options available that can potentially provide significant relief. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor)