Dorothy FarrarNerve pain in the face
Nerve pain can also appear in the face . In most cases, they are caused by trigeminal neuralgia. The pain has its origin in the 5th cranial nerve or the trigeminal nerve. Symptoms can appear on the cheeks, forehead, chin, or mouth, depending on which facial nerve area is affected.
What is facial nerve pain?
In medicine, nerve pain in the face is also referred to as facial neuralgia or trigeminal neuralgia. The painful symptoms are usually caused by the trigeminal nerve (trigeminal nerve). This leads to attacks of pain of short duration, which are, however, extremely intense. Doctors differentiate between classic and symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia. Classic facial neuralgia, which is present in most cases, is more common and is limited to one side of the face.
Pain phases alternate with pain-free intervals. The rarely occurring symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia is caused by various underlying diseases and can affect both sides of the face. Facial neuralgia is particularly common in people over 50, who develop elevated blood pressure. Facial nerve pain is more common in women than in men.
causes
Nerve pain in the face is usually caused by damage or irritation of the trigeminal nerve, which is the 5th cranial nerve. After exiting the base of the skull at the level of the earlobe, it divides into three branches that supply several facial areas. If the nerve sheath is impaired in the area of the trigeminal nerve, this often results in a sudden discharge of the nerveas a result. This in turn triggers paroxysmal nerve pain in the face. They occur in the region supplied by the trigeminal nerve. In medicine, the causes of facial pain are referred to as triggers. This refers to stimuli that arise in the supply area of the nerve. These include touching the cheek and forehead, blowing cool air, chewing, speaking, swallowing, brushing your teeth, and even laughing.Doctors differentiate between two forms of trigeminal neuralgia. These are idiopathic and symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia. While no recognizable causes can be assigned to the idiopathic form, the symptomatic form is caused by other diseases. This can be multiple sclerosis, circulatory disorders, head injuries, inflammation or tumors. Dental problems rarely result in nerve pain in the face.
A typical sign of facial neuralgia is an abrupt shooting attack of pain felt on one side of the face. In most cases, the upper and lower jaw and the mouth section are affected. There are the second and third branches of the trigeminal nerve. It is not uncommon for trigeminal neuralgia to be confused with atypical facial pain, which also results in severe stabbing pain on one side. However, the distribution of the pain is not shown precisely in the course of the nerve branches. Furthermore, a glaucoma, herpes zoster or a sinus infection can be responsible for facial pain. In some patients, the nerve pain in the face threatens complications such as depression. Are constantly taking painkillersingested, it can damage the kidneys and liver .
Diseases
- dental diseases
diagnosis and course
When diagnosing nerve pain in the face, it is important for the doctor to rule out other possible culprits. Therefore, examinations by both a dentist and an ophthalmologist may be necessary. In addition, the doctor must determine what form of facial neuralgia it is. For this purpose, several neurological tests take place. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can also be useful to detect inflammation or tumors.
Electroneurography can be used to assess nerve damage more precisely . Other diagnostic methods are angiography or a blood test in the laboratory. The course of nerve pain in the face varies. Sometimes the painful symptoms last for several weeks or months. It is not uncommon for them to alternate with pain-free time intervals. While around 29 percent of all patients suffer from facial neuralgia only once, it shows up repeatedly in around 21 percent of all those affected. This can have a significant impact on quality of life.
treatment and therapy
Various therapy methods are available for the treatment of nerve pain in the face. Idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia is usually treated with medication and is usually successful. Common drugs include phenytoin and carbamazepine. Due to possible side effects, however, the use of the medication must be carefully considered. Alternatives include pregabalin, gabapentin, and lamotrigine.
However, some patients require surgical treatment. The most common methods include percutaneous procedures, which can be performed on an outpatient basis and under brief anesthesia. Common percutaneous procedures include balloon compression, thermocoagulation, microvascular decompression, and radiosurgical procedures. In a microvascular decompression, the responsible nerve compression is relieved, whereby an opening of the skull under general anesthesia is necessary.
The operation is usually successful, but it is not suitable for older people. As part of radiosurgical methods, the trigeminal nerve is irradiated. Other treatment options include alcohol injections, freezing of the nerves (cyrotherapy) and acupuncture . If permanent pain leads to psychological impairments such as depression and mental stress, psychotherapy is considered to be useful. It is also helpful to talk to other sufferers.
prevention
Unfortunately, there is no way to effectively prevent nerve pain in the face. However, the pain attacks can be reduced with certain treatments.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.