Trigeminal neuralgia symptoms

Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
Updated on January 04, 2025
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Regarding the symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia, there is a very typical symptom, which is the issue of trigger points. A trigger point is a specific spot on the face, which varies for each person. Once this spot is touched, it immediately triggers the pain of trigeminal neuralgia. The nature of trigeminal neuralgia pain is often like cutting or stabbing pain, and the duration varies. If the condition is mild, the initial attack may only last a few seconds, but if the condition gradually worsens without significant improvement, the pain can even last for several minutes. This pain significantly impacts patients, sometimes triggering pain during activities such as brushing teeth, rinsing the mouth, or chewing hard food. Early treatment is essential to mitigate this pain.

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Written by Guo Zhi Fei
Neurosurgery
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Trigeminal neuralgia is divided into several branches.

Trigeminal neuralgia is anatomically divided into three branches: the first branch is the ophthalmic branch, the second branch is the maxillary branch, and the third branch is the mandibular branch. The scope of pain can be used to roughly determine which branch is affected. Generally, pain located in the forehead area is caused by the first branch, the ophthalmic branch. Pain in the area from the tip of the nose to the lips is caused by the second branch, the maxillary branch. Pain from the lips to the angle of the jaw is caused by the third branch, the mandibular branch. Therefore, we can understand which branch is in pain by the distribution area and scope of the trigeminal neuralgia.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Trigeminal neuralgia physiotherapy methods

For patients with trigeminal neuralgia, in addition to pharmacological treatment, some physical therapies can also be combined, such as massage, acupressure, physiotherapy, acupuncture, and electrotherapy. These physical therapies can help reduce the incidence of trigeminal neuralgia and improve symptoms. It is recommended to undergo physical therapy under the guidance of a professional physician, which can play a supporting role. Of course, physical therapy cannot replace surgical treatment. If the goal is complete treatment, it is advised to undergo microvascular decompression surgery, which plays a crucial role in alleviating pain and stabilizing the condition. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician and do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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Trigeminal neuralgia?

Trigeminal neuralgia is not uncommon in clinical settings; pain can often occur due to compression by blood vessels or tumor tissues. In addition, infections that irritate the trigeminal nerve can also cause pain. Therefore, it is essential to make assessments based on the specific conditions. In clinical practice, the initial treatment for trigeminal neuralgia typically involves oral medications. If there is no significant improvement with oral medications, further comprehensive examinations are necessary. Treatment options may include sphenopalatine ganglion block technique, microvascular decompression surgery, and craniotomy tumor removal surgery, among other measures. Thus, for trigeminal neuralgia, there are various treatment options available that can potentially provide significant relief. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor)

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Which hospital is good for trigeminal neuralgia?

For trigeminal neuralgia, it is generally recommended that patients seek medical advice from a prominent tertiary hospital early in the onset and consult a neurosurgeon to assess their condition. Once diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia, initial treatment can often start with oral medication, which can relieve pain to a certain extent for most patients. However, medication alone rarely cures the condition completely. Clinically, it is typically recommended that patients undergo microvascular decompression surgery, which has satisfying therapeutic outcomes for most patients, gradually alleviating, or even eliminating, the symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia pain. Therefore, for such patients, early diagnosis and treatment are advised.

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Written by Jiang Fang Shuai
Neurosurgery
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Is trigeminal neuralgia severe?

Trigeminal neuralgia is one of the most common, stubborn, and excruciatingly painful diseases, known by patients as the "world's most severe pain." The intensity of the pain during an episode can surpass even that of childbirth. When the pain is severe, patients dare not speak, eat, or sleep, causing immense suffering in their lives. In extreme cases, the unbearable pain leads to suicidal thoughts. Therefore, trigeminal neuralgia is also referred to as the "non-lethal cancer," a serious neurological disorder.