Facial pain can be start as a result of several different processes. Trigeminal neuralgia is facial pain that may be described as intermittent and feeling like electrical shocks or a chronic dull aching pain. Our comprehensive facial pain program utilizes a multidisciplinary approach aimed to treat all types of facial pain with the best treatment.
Symptoms
Symptoms may vary in severity among patients. However, the most common symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia include:
- Severe facial pain compared to “an electric shock”
- Facial pain is described as burning or sharp. At times, it may be so intense that a patient cannot eat or drink.
- The frequency may range from intermittent to non-stop. In this case, it can significantly affect the patient’s quality of life.
Specific triggers often bring on symptoms. These may include:
- Shaving, brushing your teeth, washing your face or anything that touches the face
- Eating and drinking
- Cold weather or a breeze
Diagnosis
A neurologist may diagnose trigeminal neuralgia after a physical examination of the face. They may also take your medical history and details of your symptoms, characteristics, and timeline. Typically, a patient may need a referral to a neurologist to receive a trigeminal neuralgia diagnosis. If you or a loved one is experiencing new and unexplained facial pain, make an appointment with your doctor. They will guide you in the diagnosis process and may be able to refer you to a neurologist for specialized treatment.
Treatment
Typically, over-the-counter pain and even prescription pain medications do not help to alleviate the pain of trigeminal neuralgia. In that case, a doctor may prescribe
- Anticonvulsant medications
- Antidepressants
- Surgery, if medication fails