Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a type of chronic pain in the face.
Symptoms
- extreme, sudden burning or shock-like pain;
- usually on one side of the face;
- set off by any vibration on the face — even talking;
- it can come and go, disappearing for days or months — but the longer you have it, the less often it goes away.
Who gets it, and why
TN usually affects people over 50, especially women.
- The usual cause is probably a blood vessel pressing on the trigeminal nerve, one of the largest nerves in the head.
- Tumors and multiple sclerosis can also cause it.
- Sometimes the cause is unknown.
Diagnosis and treatment
There is no specific test, and it can be hard to diagnose because many conditions cause facial pain. Treatments include medicines, surgery and complementary techniques.
Sources
Based on "Trigeminal Neuralgia," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, drawing on the NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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