Early manifestations of trigeminal neuralgia

Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
Updated on September 24, 2024
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For patients with trigeminal neuralgia, the initial symptoms mainly include sudden onset of intense pain that stops abruptly. The nature of the pain is generally sharp, resembling sharp stabbing or knife-like pain. In most cases, trigger points are easily formed on the face, commonly appearing around the bilateral nostrils and corners of the mouth as fixed trigger points. Touching these trigger points can easily trigger an attack of trigeminal neuralgia, which lasts for a relatively short duration, typically from a few seconds to several seconds. In most cases, attacks are more likely to be triggered when the patient is tired, fatigued, or under mental stress.

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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.

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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.)

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Radical treatment method for trigeminal neuralgia

The fundamental cause of trigeminal neuralgia lies in the compression of the trigeminal nerve root by aberrant blood vessels around the area where it exits the brain stem. This compression leads to demyelination of the trigeminal nerve and causes a short circuit in the trigeminal nerve conduction pathway, resulting in trigeminal neuralgia. Currently, the only definitive cure for trigeminal neuralgia is microvascular decompression surgery. This surgery addresses the cause of trigeminal neuralgia by opening the skull, locating the trigeminal nerve and the compressing vessel, and placing a cushion between the nerve and the vessel to achieve a cure. This type of surgery is characterized by minimal trauma, preservation of nerve function, rapid recovery, and low complication rates, making it the best treatment for trigeminal neuralgia that can achieve a definitive cure.

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What should I do about trigeminal neuralgia of the teeth?

Trigeminal neuralgia in the teeth is generally caused by lesions in the areas controlled by the trigeminal nerve, leading to pain. This pain has trigger points, which could be a particular patch of skin or triggered during face washing, producing paroxysmal, electric shock-like pain. It is important to differentiate this from tooth-related nerve pain. Sometimes toothache may resemble symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia. If dental treatment does not relieve the pain, it might be trigeminal neuralgia related to the teeth. Trigeminal neuralgia requires medication, and there are many types of treatments available. If medicinal treatment proves ineffective, surgical treatment or acupuncture may be employed. In severe cases, nerve tissue blockage can be performed to temporarily relieve the pain.

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Causes of Trigeminal Neuralgia

At present, there is no consensus on the specific causes of trigeminal neuralgia. Most scholars believe that the main cause of trigeminal neuralgia is still due to the presence of a local responsible blood vessel around the trigeminal nerve, which compresses the trigeminal nerve, leading to abnormal discharges of the trigeminal nerve. This results in sudden attacks and sudden stops of severe, knife-like or burning pain, also known as trigeminal neuralgia. In terms of treatment, it mainly involves active drug therapy and some physical therapies, such as massage, manipulation, physiotherapy, and acupuncture. Most patients who experience poor results from conservative treatments can opt for microvascular decompression surgery, which often achieves good therapeutic outcomes.