Trigeminal neuralgia (facial nerve pain)
About Trigeminal neuralgia (facial nerve pain)
Irritated fifth cranial causing severe, fleeting episodes of facial pain. Lightly touching the face can cause the symptom. Most often no cause is found. Causes of the disorder include: multiple sclerosis, a tumor, or pressure on the nerve for the adjoining blood vessels. This disorder arises more frequently in women, and occurs more commonly in late adult years.Symptoms
Very painful sharp electric-like facial pain, the pain lasts a few seconds or minutes, pain is usually only on one side of the face, pain around the eye, pain around the cheek. The pain may be triggered by touch or sounds, or by normal daily activities such as drinking or shaving.Tests & Diagnostics
A history and physical exam will be performed. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and blood tests may help rule out other conditionsPrescription medications
Conventional treatment summary
Therapy is aimed at reducing the intensity of pain and the frequency of attacks. The medications prescribed include: anti-seizure drugs (carbamazepine/Tegretol, gabapentin/Neurontin, phenytoin/Dilantin), migraine medicines (sumatriptan/Imitrex), and/or tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline/Elavil, nortriptyline/Pamelor). Some patients may need surgery.Medical specialties
Internal Medicine · Neurosurgery · Neurology · Pediatrics · Family Practice
This page is educational content, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment of Trigeminal neuralgia (facial nerve pain).