Trigeminal neuralgia ( tic douloureux ) is a dysfunction of the trigeminal nerve ( cranial nerve V ) , which carries sensation from the face to the brain .
Trigeminal nerve dysfunction causes a sharp pain attacks are great for a few seconds to a few minutes .
Trigeminal neuralgia occurs in adults , but is more often found in the elderly .
CAUSE
The cause is unknown .
SYMPTOMS
Pain can occur spontaneously , but more often arise because touching certain points ( trigger points ) or as specific activity ( eg brushing teeth or chewing ) .
Repeated attacks of tremendous pain can be felt in every part of the lower face .
Pain is most often felt in the cheek near the nose or jaw area .
Pain can occur up to 100 times / day and yerinya can paralyze .
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is made based on the typical pain .
Also examined to find other causes of facial pain ( such as abnormalities in the jaw , teeth or sinuses , or suppression of the trigeminal nerve by a tumor or an aneurysm ) .
TREATMENT
Recurrent attacks of pain and brief nature , because it is typically not given pain medication .
Drugs are given anti- seizure , which would stabilize the nerve membranes . Usually given carbamazepine , if unsuccessful or cause severe side effects , replaced with phenytoin .
In some cases used baclofen and antidepressants .
Improvement usually occurs spontaneously , but the onset of pain may recur at any time .
Trigeminal neuralgia is sometimes caused by compression of the nerve artery located near the brain .
In these circumstances surgery to separate arteries and nerves to reduce pain .
In patients who do not respond to drug treatment can be carried out examinations in which alcohol is injected into the nerves to function temporarily clog .
If this action causes a reduction in pain , the nerve can be cut or destroyed by injecting drugs into dalammnya . This is the last choice of treatment because it often causes discomfort in the face .
