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Trigeminal Neuralgia & Facial Nerve Disorders
Trigeminal neuralgia and facial nerve disorders are conditions that affect the face, but impact different nerves and cause different symptoms.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic condition causing intense facial pain, typically on one side of the face. Also known as prosoplasia, tic douloureux or Fothergill's disease, this chronic pain condition affects the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from the face to the brain. Mild stimulation of the face, such as brushing your teeth or putting on makeup, may trigger excruciating pain. The pain may start as short, mild attacks, but the condition can progress to longer, more frequent bouts of intense pain.
Causes may vary, but trigeminal neuralgia is often due to compression of the trigeminal nerve by a blood vessel. Other cases may be caused by multiple sclerosis or a tumor.
At Houston Methodist, we take a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to treating trigeminal neuralgia. We understand the complexities of these conditions and spend time with our patients to understand their concerns. Our experts work to reduce and remove painful episodes through surgical treatments and medication therapies. Together, we develop comprehensive treatment plans for every patient.
Facial Nerve Disorders
Facial nerve disorders, on the other hand, can involve various facial nerve issues which affects facial expression and can lead to weakness of facial muscles or facial paralysis.
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Trigeminal Neuralgia & Facial Nerve Disorders FAQs
Our team will ask you to describe your pain symptoms, concentrating on the type of pain, its location and whether an event triggered it. Symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia may include:
- Attacks that become more frequent and intense over time
- Acute or lasting pain that may feel electric, shooting or jabbing
- Spontaneous attacks that may be triggered by touching the face
- Pain affecting a single spot or side of your face
- Widespread facial pain
Though there is no single test to diagnose trigeminal neuralgia, a neurological exam and/or MRI can help rule out underlying conditions that may be causing symptoms. Some causes of trigeminal neuralgia include:
- Contact between a blood vessel and the trigeminal nerve that causes the nerve to malfunction
- Degeneration, as a result of aging
- Multiple sclerosis or a similar disorder
- Tumor compressing the trigeminal nerve
Trigeminal neuralgia typically affects women more often than men and people who are older than 50.
Based on your symptoms, we will create a treatment plan to address the root cause of your symptoms and offer you more pain-free days.
What treatments are available for trigeminal neuralgia?
Treatment for primary trigeminal neuralgia depends on the severity of your symptoms and may include medications, injections or surgery. If your symptoms are due to another condition, such as multiple sclerosis, treatment will focus on that disease to reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life.
The most common course of treatment for trigeminal neuralgia is microvascular decompression (MVD). By placing a Teflon pledget between the trigeminal nerve and offending vessel, resulting in significant pain relief and long-term success.