Trigeminal Neuralgia – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Trigeminal neuralgia creates severe, shock-like pain on one side of the face. This chronic condition affects the trigeminal nerve, which sends signals between the face and brain.
Even gentle touches—like brushing teeth or applying makeup—can trigger intense pain episodes.
People with this condition often start with brief, mild pain episodes. Over time, these episodes may become more frequent and last longer.
Women and adults over 50 face higher risks of developing trigeminal neuralgia.
Also known as tic douloureux, this condition doesn’t have to control your life. Most patients can manage their symptoms with proper treatment.
Key facts about trigeminal neuralgia:
- Causes sharp, electric shock-like facial pain
- Affects one side of the face
- Can be triggered by light touch or everyday activities
- More common in women and people over 50
- Typically worsens over time without treatment
- Can be managed effectively with medical care
Most patients work with their doctors to find treatments that reduce pain and improve quality of life.
Symptoms
Trigeminal neuralgia creates sharp, sudden face pain. You might feel shooting pain like an electric shock. This pain often starts when you touch your face, chew food, speak, or brush your teeth.
Pain episodes typically last from a few seconds to several minutes. Some people notice facial muscle spasms along with the pain.
The condition can follow different patterns, with pain periods lasting days, weeks, months, or longer, sometimes followed by pain-free times.
The pain usually affects one side of your face at a time. It most commonly appears in the cheek, jaw, teeth, gums, or lips. Sometimes it reaches the eye and forehead. The pain might concentrate in one spot or spread across a wider area.
Most people don’t experience trigeminal neuralgia pain while sleeping. Unfortunately, episodes often become more frequent and intense as time passes.
When to See a Doctor
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience:
- Face pain that lasts a long time
- Pain that returns after going away
- Chronic pain not relieved by over-the-counter medications
Early medical attention can help identify the cause and create an effective treatment plan.
What Causes This Condition?
The trigeminal nerve can stop working properly for several reasons. Often, a blood vessel (either an artery or vein) touches the nerve at the brain’s base. This contact puts pressure on the nerve and disrupts its normal function.
Other causes exist beyond blood vessel compression. People with multiple sclerosis may develop this condition when the protective myelin sheath around nerves breaks down. Tumors pressing against the trigeminal nerve can also lead to symptoms.
Some individuals experience this nerve pain after:
- Stroke
- Facial injury
- Nerve damage during surgery
Pain Triggers
Many everyday activities can set off painful episodes, including:
| Common Triggers | Additional Triggers |
|---|---|
| • Shaving | • Talking |
| • Face touching | • Applying makeup |
| • Eating | • Feeling a light breeze |
| • Drinking | • Smiling |
| • Tooth brushing | • Face washing |
These triggers often affect the cheek, jaw, lips, gums, forehead, or eye areas. Even mild stimulation of the face can produce intense, sudden pain in people with this condition.
Risk Factors
Several factors can increase a person’s chance of developing trigeminal neuralgia. Being aware of these risk factors may help with earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Gender Differences
Women have a higher likelihood of developing trigeminal neuralgia compared to men. Medical statistics consistently show this gender disparity in diagnosis rates.
Age Considerations
Age plays a significant role in trigeminal neuralgia risk. This condition appears more frequently in people over 50 years old. The risk continues to increase with advancing age.
Medical Conditions
Certain health conditions are linked to higher trigeminal neuralgia risk:
High Blood Pressure: Research has shown that people with hypertension face an increased risk of developing trigeminal neuralgia. A population-based study found that hypertension can significantly raise the likelihood of this nerve condition.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS): People with MS have a notably higher risk of experiencing trigeminal neuralgia. This connection exists because MS affects the protective covering of nerves throughout the body, including the trigeminal nerve.
Understanding these risk factors doesn’t mean a person will definitely develop trigeminal neuralgia. However, people with these factors should be more alert to potential symptoms.
