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Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment

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Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment

Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment in Hyderabad

Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain disorder that impacts the trigeminal nerve, responsible for transmitting sensory information from the face to the brain. Even minor stimuli like brushing teeth or applying makeup can trigger intense and unbearable pain for individuals with trigeminal neuralgia.

Initially, the pain may be short-lived and mild. However, over time, the condition can progress, leading to longer and more frequent episodes of excruciating pain. Trigeminal neuralgia tends to affect women more frequently than men, and it is more commonly observed in individuals aged 50 and above.

Treatment for trigeminal neuralgia is typically provided on an outpatient basis, unless surgical intervention by a neurosurgeon is necessary. The management approach for this condition must be tailored to each individual, taking into account their age and overall health condition.

Symptoms

Trigeminal neuralgia symptoms may include one or more of these patterns:

  • Episodes of severe, shooting or jabbing pain that may feel like an electric shock
  • Spontaneous attacks of pain or attacks triggered by things such as touching the face, chewing, speaking or brushing teeth
  • Bouts of pain lasting from a few seconds to several minutes
  • Episodes of several attacks lasting days, weeks, months or longer — some people have periods when they experience no pain
  • Constant aching, burning feeling that may occur before it evolves into the spasm-like pain of trigeminal neuralgia
  • Pain in areas supplied by the trigeminal nerve, including the cheek, jaw, teeth, gums, lips, or less often the eye and forehead
  • Pain affecting one side of the face at a time, though may rarely affect both sides of the face
  • Pain focused in one spot or spread in a wider pattern
  • Attacks that become more frequent and intense over time

Symptoms

  • There are various effective methods to alleviate pain, and medications play a crucial role in pain management.
  • Trigeminal neuralgia, for instance, is commonly treated with the anticonvulsant drug carbamazepine. In most cases, carbamazepine effectively controls pain during the early stages of the disease. However, if a patient does not experience relief from this medication, it may cast doubt on the presence of trigeminal neuralgia. Over time, the effectiveness of carbamazepine may diminish. Some potential side effects of carbamazepine include dizziness, double vision, drowsiness, and nausea.
  • Another medication, baclofen, is a muscle relaxant. When used in conjunction with carbamazepine or phenytoin, its effectiveness may increase. Possible side effects of baclofen include confusion, depression, and drowsiness.
  • Phenytoin, an anticonvulsant medication, was the initial treatment option for trigeminal neuralgia. However, it can lead to side effects such as gum overgrowth, balance disturbances, and drowsiness.
  • A newer medication called oxcarbazepine has emerged as a first-line treatment for trigeminal neuralgia. It is structurally similar to carbamazepine and is often preferred due to its lower incidence of side effects. Potential side effects of oxcarbazepine include dizziness and double vision.
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