{"id":6646,"date":"2019-05-31T09:45:55","date_gmt":"2019-05-31T09:45:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=6646"},"modified":"2022-02-07T08:41:06","modified_gmt":"2022-02-07T08:41:06","slug":"14-typical-symptoms-of-trigeminal-neuralgia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-typical-symptoms-of-trigeminal-neuralgia\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Typical Symptoms of Trigeminal Neuralgia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, trigeminal neuralgia is known for carrying an excruciatingly painful sensation from your face to your brain. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who have trigeminal neuralgia may find that even the mildest stimulation of the face caused by things like brushing your teeth or even putting on makeup can trigger the condition and cause an electric shock type of pain. Initially, patients may also experience fairly short and mild attacks; however, this condition usually progresses, resulting in more regularly occurring and painful episodes that last longer. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The condition typically affects women more than it does men and it is much more likely to affect those over the age of 50. Pain management is the best option of treatment for most people; however, there are some invasive and non-invasive surgery methods that have been used to good effect. Here are 8 typical symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. <\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Shooting Pain<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The most commonly experienced type of pain caused by trigeminal neuralgia<\/a> is shooting pain. Most people report this type of pain as feeling like an electric shock or a stabbing sensation. These episodes of pain come on like a jolt and can vary in the power at which they come in. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For people living with trigeminal neuralgia, the complaint is usually that it is the most excruciating pain known to mankind. Even women who have experienced childbirth have stated that the shooting pain associated with trigeminal neuralgia is actually worse than the pain of going through labor. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This may seem like an extreme comparison to make, but it is one that doctors have heard plenty of times over the years and when it comes from someone who has experienced both types of pain, it has to be taken seriously. For most people, the shooting pain of trigeminal neuralgia is something they\u2019ll never have to experience, lucky them.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. <\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Spontaneous Attacks<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The spontaneity of the attacks of trigeminal neuralgia can be an especially troubling symptom of the condition, as this can leave a person playing a guessing game regarding as and when the attacks will affect them. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes a person can keep on top of their triggers, which may include anything and everything from brushing their teeth<\/a>, to smiling or even shaving, however for no seemingly no reason whatsoever, a person may also find that they develop a new trigger without any warning. People who have trigeminal neuralgia are always advised to know their triggers in order to be able to avoid them. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The harsh reality is though, that most of the triggers, such as eating and gentle touch are pretty much impossible to avoid. The frustration felt regarding the spontaneity of the attacks is only added to by the fact that just because something didn\u2019t trigger the pain on one day, doesn\u2019t mean it won\u2019t trigger the pain on the next day.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. <\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Varying Lengths of Pain Episodes<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The length of an episode of pain is just another hugely variable symptom of trigeminal neuralgia that sufferers are burdened to deal with. Two case studies are useful to talk about when considering this symptom, as they provide a little real-world context to an issue that only those affected can fully appreciate or understand. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One trigeminal neuralgia patient, a woman in her 50s, reported how the episodes of pain <\/a>that she suffered with would rarely last longer than just a few seconds, with many of the attacks seeming to last even less than a second. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A momentary jolt of pain like a supercharged static electricity shock was how she described her symptoms. Contrastingly, another trigeminal neuralgia sufferer, a woman in her late 60s, described how her pain attacks could last anywhere up to two or even three minutes. These examples detail just how varied the symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia can be.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. <\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Constant Aching<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Constant pain is sometimes harder to deal with than occasional episodes or flare-ups, as it hangs around in the background and is always there, much like that dog that barks in the neighborhood and just won\u2019t stop. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The constant aching symptom of trigeminal neuralgia affects the face and whilst it is not as strong as the pain associated with the sudden attacks, it is perhaps more annoying and even more depressing as it just won’t seem to go away. It can be likened to a persistent and nagging muscle spasm<\/a> or even sciatica, the only difference being that this type of pain is much more difficult to ignore, as it is right at the heart of the nervous system. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes constant pains that occur in the extremities or within the limbs can be ignored or distracted against, whereas a pain that is so close to the brain, right in the face is much more difficult to ignore.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. <\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Pain In Other Areas<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes the pain caused by trigeminal neuralgia can affect other areas of the face that are supplied by the trigeminal nerve. A person may experience pain in one or both of their cheeks, with this pain feeling much like a sharp and stabbing sensation. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other people may find that their jaw is the second place that is indirectly affected by pain, with this pain making it difficult for them to use their jaw properly for chewing and eating. Pain may also be felt in the teeth and this pain can be much more troublesome than a toothache<\/a>, which as most people will confirm, is pretty unbearable on its own. The pain may also be felt in the upper parts of the gum, as this area is also supplied by the trigeminal nerve. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Less commonly, pain may also be felt in the lips and underneath the nose. Much less frequently, pain may be felt in an eye or in the forehead.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. <\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Distribution of Pain<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The distribution of the symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia<\/a> is an interesting phenomenon, with most people stating that the pain only ever affects them on one side of the face. This is a typical symptom of the condition and only in very rare cases should a person expect to feel pain on both sides of the face. It just doesn\u2019t happen that often at all. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pain is usually focused on one concentrated spot on the face, with other areas being affected indirectly. This said the distribution of pain varies from one person to another and from one episode to another as well. Some people, as it happens, may find that their pain is spread out over a wider area, following a different pattern to the more focused norm. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This difference in the distribution of the pain symptom is something that varies and means that the experiences of one person with trigeminal neuralgia may differ completely from another person.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. <\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Frequency of Pain<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The frequency of attacks is yet another difference that people with trigeminal neuralgia may notice between cases from person to person. It is useful to refer to case studies again here, to fully understand just how much the frequency can vary from person to person. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again focusing on the woman in her 50s, her pain <\/a>attacks would come on very infrequently, and sometimes only once in the whole episode of trigeminal neuralgia. Whilst this may seem like a fairly insignificant fact, it is only when it is compared with the woman in her late 60s that the stark difference is fully recognized. The second woman complained that her attacks of trigeminal neuralgia pain were much more frequent, sometimes occurring every couple of minutes in extreme episodes. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is just another difference in the way that the painful symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia can differ hugely from person to person. Whilst this is an interesting phenomenon, it certainly makes life more difficult for people looking to share experiences with the condition.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. <\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>Depression<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A common side effect of many long-term<\/span> illnesses, depression, and other mental health issues are finally starting to come to the fore and to wider public attention. Acceptance of depression and mental illness as a major priority for people is becoming less taboo and more widely understood and accepted. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lot of people would say that it\u2019s about time this happened too. The fact is, that living with a long-term illness, especially one that is as painful and unpleasant as trigeminal neuralgia can put a strain on anyone\u2019s mental health. The differences in symptoms from person to person can make dealing with the condition all the more difficult, as shared experiences and similarities are hard to find. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There can be a good outlook for people suffering from trigeminal neuralgia, as long as they get to know their triggers as reliably as possible, but the most important thing is to try and stay positive.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Anxiety<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who live with the effects of trigeminal neuralgia dread the next occurrence of an attack. The attacks don\u2019t adhere to a set schedule, and the patient never knows when the next one will occur. Sure, it\u2019s possible to discover many of your triggers, but it takes time to understand the effect of the trigger and how it affects the condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The attacks are painful, and some can leave the patient feeling incapacitated until they subside. As a result, the patient may develop anxiety surrounding their fear of the next attack. The stress can ruin their mental health, leaving them fearing the events of the day. As a result, they may withdraw from normal social situations with the impression that they could encounter a trigger during the engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anxiety occurs due to elevations in the stress hormone cortisol. It leaves the patient in a constant state of \u201cfight-or-flight,\u201d where their mind and nervous system interpret this additional stress<\/a> into anxiety, leaving the patient with all sorts of complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Pain at Night<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Trigeminal neuralgia attacks typically occur during the day. The affected individual may experience an attack as soon as they wake up. Or go through the day without experiencing any problems, depending on the extent of the condition. The intensity of attacks varies between patients, as does the frequency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, the attacks only occur during the daytime, and it\u2019s rare for them to happen at night. However, in some cases, patients may experience attacks at night, waking them from sleep or preventing them from falling asleep. If the patient experiences nocturnal attacks, it can interfere with their normal sleeping schedule, leaving them feeling tired and worn out during the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We need sleep to survive and thrive, recovering from the stress of the day. When the patient is fearful of nocturnal attacks, it can rapidly deteriorate mental health. As a result, the patient could develop sleeping disorders and high anxiety <\/a>in fear of the next episode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Pain While Eating, Talking, or Brushing Hair<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people with trigeminal neuralgia experience attacks from completing simple tasks like brushing their hair, shaving their face, brushing teeth, eating, drinking, or talking. Even something as subtle as running their tongue along their teeth can cause an attack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The nerves <\/a>in the head and around the face causing trigeminal neuralgia are easy to trigger, and the patient needs to understand where the nerves are in their face and which nerves cause the onset of an attack. Some patients may find the nerves under the chin cause them problems, while others may find the cheeks or the side of the head are their problematic areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In rare circumstances, something as subtle as cold wind blowing gently against the face may cause the onset of an attack. Discovering your triggers for trigeminal neuralgia helps you avoid placing yourself in situations where you may encounter the trigger. It may take some time for the patient to understand these causes, but if they pay attention to the activities causing the attacks, they can better understand its behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Pain Under the Jaw<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The trigeminal nerves extend from the sides of the head<\/a>, across the cheeks, down the jawline, and under the chin. It\u2019s more common for patients with the disorder to experience attacks on the sides of the head and along the cheeks. It\u2019s less common for the patient to experience pain in the jawline and under the chin, but many people still suffer from attacks in these areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pain under the jaw can occur when the patient applies pressure to the underside of the chin where the nerves end. Holding your head in your palms is an example of how this pressure could trap the nerve and cause an attack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These nerves may also cause attacks when eating. When chewing, the pressure on the jaw can excite the nerves extending to the top teeth and around the jawline, producing the onset of an attack. Even massaging the jaw can cause pain symptoms in affected individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Pain in the Teeth<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The trigeminal nerves extend from just above the ear, through the cheeks, and into the top jaw, where they wrap around the gums<\/a>. Some people with the condition known as \u201cbruxism,\u201d or grinding of the teeth, may also clench them at night. Many people with this disorder don\u2019t know they have it until they start seeing the effects on their teeth, so they begin experiencing pain in the teeth and through the trigeminal nerves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The clenching of the teeth at night creates stress in the masseter muscles around the jawline, creating pressure and tension on the trigeminal nerves. As the condition worsens, the patient may notice severe pain in their teeth. It spreads through the cheeks and around the eye, and even down the back of the head and neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, they may wake up in the morning, brush their teeth, and experience an attack of trigeminal neuralgia. In some advanced cases, the patient may experience a nocturnal attack that wakes them from their sleep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Confusion with TMJ Pain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s common for people with trigeminal neuralgia to confuse the condition with TMJ pain. The pain occurs where the temporomandibular <\/a>joint (TMJ) connects the jaw to the skull. People with bruxism may also confuse trigeminal neuralgia with the effects of TMJ pain, resulting in a misdiagnosis from their doctor or prosthodontist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TMJ disorder affects the TMJ joint, slowly eroding it over many years. Eventually, the patient with TMJ will start to experience a clicking sound coming from the joint when they open and close their mouth to the fully open position. They will also experience inflammation and pain in the TMJ extending down the side of the face and through the cheeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the pain from TMJ disorder is very different from that produced by trigeminal neuralgia. Trigeminal neuralgia attacks may extend from the same area around the TMJ, but they may simultaneously affect other nerve locations around the face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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