Facial neuralgia, which corresponds to damage to the trigeminal nerve, is manifested by intense pain in the face. What are the causes ? How is the diagnosis made? We take stock of trigeminal neuralgia.
Trigeminal neuralgia or facial neuralgia is a peripheral neuropathy of the trigeminal nerve, a cranial nerve. It is manifested by pains particularly intense affecting the face. THE stress is not a factor in the appearance of facial neuralgia. What triggers trigeminal neuralgia? What are the symptoms ? How to relieve trigeminal nerve pain? What treatments are effective?
Definition: what is trigeminal neuralgia?
“Facial neuralgia is a intense, paroxysmal pain, like electric shocks which last a few seconds and which affect half of the face (hémiface)” explains Dr. Jean-Denis Turc, neurologist and vice-president of the French Federation of Neurology (FFN). “Attacks are repeated several times per hour.” She reached especially people over 50, men as well as women. It can affect both the right side and the left side.
What are the symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia?
“Those are intense and shooting pains of a hemiface. Most often, they affect the middle (cheekbone) or lower part of the face, around the mouth. The pain is so intense that it can cause a grimace on the face, a ‘painful tic’. The touch of a part of the face can trigger a discharge, we then speak of a trigger zone”, says Jean-Denis Turc.
What triggers trigeminal neuralgia?
This pathology is caused by a damage to the trigeminal nerve, a cranial nerve. In the absence of secondary causes, it is said to be essential. In rare cases, however, it may be neuralgia secondary to a tumoral, infectious, inflammatory, vascular cause… Stress is not a factor in the appearance of facial neuralgia.
“The diagnosis is clinical. It rests on the description of shooting pains, for a few seconds, like electric shocks on the hemiface. They are often triggered by the touch of the hemiface”, recalls Jean-Denis Turk. Standard complementary examinations MRI or brain scan only serve to eliminate a secondary cause.
What are the treatments for trigeminal neuralgia?
“In the first place, we always try drugs, and in the first place the antiepileptics. They stabilize the nerve. In case of resistance, there are surgical techniques or radiotherapy”, assures Jean-Denis Turk.
What are the natural treatments for trigeminal neuralgia?
As for natural alternatives (herbal remedies, acupuncture), “they have not been proven to be effective” emphasizes our interlocutor.
Thanks to Dr. Jean-Denis Turc, neurologist and vice-president of the French Federation of Neurology (FFN).