Trigeminal neuralgia prodrome

Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
Updated on November 14, 2024
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Trigeminal neuralgia does not have very obvious precursors. This is because trigeminal neuralgia often occurs suddenly, especially with the concept of trigger points. That is to say, once the trigger point is activated, it immediately induces pain without any warning signs. Trigger points vary from person to person, usually located primarily on the cheek. Patients who frequently suffer from trigeminal neuralgia often know these areas. Typically, the pain occurs during activities like brushing teeth with cold water or chewing hard foods such as peanuts or walnuts, triggering severe pain instantly. Thus, in the case of trigeminal neuralgia, there are no precursors, only immediate triggers and immediate pain.

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Written by Li Pei
Neurosurgery
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Does trigeminal neuralgia require craniotomy?

If the severity of trigeminal neuralgia is mild, oral medication can be chosen as the first treatment option. If the effects of the medication are not significant, radiofrequency treatment for the trigeminal nerve or balloon compression therapy can be considered, although these two methods do have a certain recurrence rate. If the effects of medications and treatments like radiofrequency are not significant, microvascular decompression surgery for the trigeminal nerve can be considered. This surgery requires general anesthesia and craniotomy, and under a microscope, the trigeminal nerve and the blood vessels compressing it are separated using a special material, which can relieve the pain of trigeminal neuralgia.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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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.)

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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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.

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Written by Jiang Fang Shuai
Neurosurgery
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How painful is trigeminal neuralgia?

The trigeminal nerve is located on the human face, and trigeminal neuralgia is a common neurological disorder. The most prominent symptom of this disorder is pain that feels like needle pricks or knife cuts. This pain usually occurs very suddenly and is extremely intense. When the pain occurs, patients cannot perform any movements related to the face, severely affecting their quality of life. Moreover, sometimes even a minor movement can trigger repeated episodes of pain, placing the patient in constant severe discomfort. Therefore, trigeminal neuralgia is also referred to as "the worst pain in the world."

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Written by Liu Hong Mei
Neurology
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Is occipital neuralgia the same as trigeminal neuralgia?

Occipital neuralgia and trigeminal neuralgia are different; these are two distinct diseases with different onset times, affected areas, and pain characteristics. Occipital neuralgia generally occurs in the back of the head and is associated with cervical spondylosis, neck muscle tension, spasms, injury, trauma, and inflammation, typically triggering pain in the distribution area of the greater occipital nerve. Trigeminal neuralgia generally affects the distribution area of the trigeminal nerve, causing very intense pain, which may be like lightning or a burning sensation. It is typically triggered by washing the face, brushing teeth, or touching and can start and stop suddenly.