Question

What is the root cause of trigeminal neuralgia?

Answer 1

The root cause of trigeminal neuralgia is believed to be related to a malfunction or compression of your trigeminal nerve although it's not known for sure what actually causes trigeminal neuralgia.

The most common age for trigeminal neuralgia is 50 years of age and older.

Trigeminal neuralgia is more common in females than males and it can sometimes affect a person under 40.

However if someone under 40 gets trigeminal neuralgia it can be linked to conditions such as multiple sclerosis.

Trigeminal neuralgia can affect anyone at any age including infants.

Trigeminal neuralgia feels like an electric shock that is sudden, severe and along with sharp pain in the face.

The pain with trigeminal neuralgia can be intense enough that it is difficult to do anything while the trigeminal neuralgia is occurring.

A red flag for trigeminal neuralgia is pain in your eye socket, nose and forehead and sensory changes and sensory abnormalities in your trigeminal area.

Pain that is only in the ophthalmic division of your trigeminal nerve or pain which is bilateral are red flags of trigeminal neuralgia.

Other red flags of trigeminal neuralgia are facial muscle weakness, a history of skin or oral lesions that can spread perineurally.

Progressive facial nerve palsy or immuno compromise or a history of facial actinopathy is also a red flag of trigeminal neuralgia.

The symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia include sharp, stabbing facial pain which is often episodic.

Trigeminal neuralgia can also cause other symptoms which include.

Pain attacks that can worsen over time.

Having persistent background facial pain in addition to pain attacks.

And a series of episodes which last for weeks or months that can be followed by pain free periods.

Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain disorder which is also called tic douloureux that affects your trigeminal nerve which is the main sensory nerve in your face.

The cause of trigeminal neuralgia is not known although it is believed to be related to a malfunction or compression of your trigeminal nerve.

The main symptom of trigeminal neuralgia is the sudden attack of severe, sharp or shooting facial pain that lasts from a couple of seconds to around 2 minutes.

The pain with trigeminal neuralgia is like an electric shock and excruciating and the attacks can be severe enough that you're unable to do anything while the attacks with trigeminal neuralgia are happening.

Applying heat to the affected area can provide you some relief from the pain with trigeminal neuralgia.

You can press a hot water bottle or hot compress to the painful hear.

A beanbag or warm wet washcloth heated in the microwave will work.

Taking a hot shower or bath can also help with the pain relief from trigeminal neuralgia.

Answer 2

Trigeminal neuralgia is a rare condition that can seriously affect quality of life, with sudden, sharp facial pain that can happen up to 100 times a day. It’s often felt in the teeth, jaw, or gums and can last from a few seconds to minutes. If traditional treatments like anticonvulsants or even surgery haven’t worked, medical cannabis could be an alternative worth exploring. 

There’s actually a clinic in the UK called Releaf that specializes in this. They offer online consultations and personalized treatment plans, so you’re not left figuring it all out alone. It might be a helpful option if you’re looking for something different.