Living with Trigeminal Neuralgia

 Trigeminal Neuralgia is a neuropathic chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve in a patient's face, known as one of the most painful conditions in the medical world. The potential social impacts of TN are considered using a qualitative and quantitative research approach. Using a review of studies on analogous chronic pain conditions, a questionnaire was developed to explore how TN may impact a patient's social interactions, relationships, ability to attend social events, and role within his or her community. 



Most people struggling with Trigeminal Neuralgia will be prescribed medicine to help control their pain, although surgery may be considered for the longer term in cases where medicine is ineffective or causes too many side effects. 


TN is caused by harm to the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve sends branches throughout the face to the forehead, cheek, and lower jaw. This widespread distribution of nerve branches shows how impactful the trigeminal nerve is in sending sensory information throughout the face. Therefore, any irritation to the trigeminal nerve may result in extensive pain. 


The painful attacks of trigeminal neuralgia can sometimes be brought on, or made worse, by certain triggers, so it may help to avoid these triggers if possible.For example, if your pain is triggered by wind, it may help to wear a scarf wrapped around your face in windy weather. A transparent dome-shaped umbrella can also protect your face from the weather. If your pain is triggered by a draft in a room, avoid sitting near open windows or the source of air conditioning.


As painkillers like paracetamol are not effective in treating trigeminal neuralgia, you'll usually be prescribed an anticonvulsant - a type of medicine used to treat epilepsy - to help control your pain. Anticonvulsants were not originally designed to treat pain, but they can help to relieve nerve pain by slowing down electrical impulses in the nerves and reducing their ability to send pain messages. They need to be taken regularly, not just when the pain attacks happen, but you can stop taking them if the episodes of pain cease and you're in remission. 


Studies have suggested that around 30 in every 10,000 people are diagnosed with the condition in the UK each year, although this figure is probably too high as the condition tends to be over-diagnosed by doctors. Other estimates have suggested that there are about 6,500 new cases diagnosed each year in USA. The condition affects women more often than men and is rare in people under the age of 40, although it can occur in younger people. Most cases are first seen in people between the ages of 50 and 60.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Chiropractic Neck Adjustment

Image
  Neck pain is the worst kind of overachiever. It’s so common that it’s the fourth-leading cause of disability globally, following ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and lower respiratory infection. Nearly 30 percent experience it each year. And it’s not always centralized in the neck. It can radiate across your whole upper body, affecting your shoulders, arms and chest and can even cause headaches. Living with neck pain can be miserable, making it hard to focus and get through the day. Neck pain can be debilitating and may interfere with day-to-day life, including your ability to sleep, feel productive, and enjoy time with friends and family. And it affects more than just your physical body. Studies have shown that chronic pain can have an impact on a person’s mental health; up to 80% of patients with chronic pain are affected by severe depression. The Chiropractic Neck Adjustment Chiropractic neck adjustments, called cervical manipulation, loosen up the joints of the ce
Read more

Dealing with Arthritis in the Jaw

 Pain in the jaw joint could be the result of TMJ, or temporomandibular joint syndrome. Here's everything you need to know about this confusing condition, including home treatment options that can help ease symptoms.  It’s common for kids with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) to have arthritis in their temporomandibular joint (TMJ), or jaw. Pediatric rheumatologists often check their patients’ jaws because symptoms can be silent or mild at first TMJ flare up  don’t just affect mouth, they also make entire upper body ache. Face will feel incredibly sore, as if  been grinning all day, Eyes will feel so tired that it’s hard to keep them open. It's challenging to use the computer or read books because the postures aggravate the neck  which is also affected by JA  and shoulders. Muscles are knotted and irritated. Teeth often ache as if I have an infection, and this usually happens in the middle of the night. Not to mention the typical fatigue and soreness that come with a flare.
Read more

TMJ Cause, Effects And Treatments

Image
The temporomandibular (tem-puh-roe-man-DIB-u-lur) joint (TMJ) acts like a sliding hinge, connecting your jawbone to your skull. You have one joint on each side of your jaw. TMJ disorders — a type of temporomandibular disorder or TMD — can cause pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement. TMJ disorders have many signs and symptoms. It's often hard to know for sure if you have TMJ, because one or all of these symptoms can also be present for other problems. Your dentist can help make a proper diagnosis by taking a complete medical and dental history, conducting a clinical examination and taking appropriate X-rays.   Some of the most common TMJ symptoms include: Headaches (often mimicking migraines), earaches, and pain and pressure behind the eyes A clicking or popping sound when you open or close your mouth Pain brought on by yawning, opening the mouth widely or chewing Jaws that "get stuck," lock or go out Tenderness of the jaw muscles A sudden cha
Read more