The causes of trigeminal neuralgia include primary and secondary factors. Secondary trigeminal neuralgia may be caused by tumors, syringomyelia, demyelinating diseases, aneurysms, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, etc. The specific causes of primary trigeminal neuralgia are not particularly clear, but may be caused by local microvascular compression, demyelination of the trigeminal nerve, genetic factors, etc. If you have trigeminal neuralgia, you should first rule out secondary trigeminal neuralgia and actively treat the underlying cause. If it is primary trigeminal neuralgia, it can be treated with medication or radiofrequency ablation, microvascular decompression surgery, etc.
Early symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia
Early symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia primarily manifest as pain within the distribution area of the trigeminal nerve. Attacks are usually short-lived, lasting from a few seconds to 1-2 minutes, and typically stop abruptly. These attacks can occur dozens, even hundreds, of times a day. Treatment mainly focuses on symptomatic pain relief. Commonly used medications include carbamazepine and phenytoin sodium; oxcarbazepine can also be used. The trigeminal nerve includes the ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular branches, and the location of pain varies depending on the branch. Ophthalmic branch lesions mainly manifest as pain around the eye and orbit, but frontal pain may also occur. Maxillary branch lesions generally present as pain in the upper jaw. Mandibular branch lesions mainly manifest as pain in the lower jaw, face, or inside the ear.
Methods for treating trigeminal neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia is an extremely severe pain, primarily occurring in the area controlled by the trigeminal nerve. It is described as a cutting, tearing, and excruciating pain, making it unbearable and causing significant distress. Treatment methods mainly include the following: First, medication is the first-line treatment, administering anti-epileptic drugs or related sedatives, many of which are highly effective. However, it is crucial to adhere to the prescribed medication schedule and be aware of potential side effects, such as impacting liver and kidney function. Second, local nerve blocks can be used. Third, Gamma Knife surgery can be performed to destroy the pain-causing fibers of the trigeminal nerve. Fourth, surgery can be performed to relieve pressure on the trigeminal nerve from blood vessels.