Trigeminal neuralgia 2 of 4

 

Causes

The condition is called trigeminal neuralgia because the painful facial areas are those served by one or more of the three branches of your trigeminal nerve. This large nerve originates deep inside your brain and carries sensation from your face to your brain. The pain of trigeminal neuralgia is due to a disturbance in the function of the trigeminal nerve. Trigeminal neuralgia is also known as tic douloureux.

The cause of the pain usually is due to contact between a normal artery or vein and the trigeminal nerve at the base of your brain. This places pressure on the nerve as it enters your brain and causes the nerve to misfire. Physical nerve damage or stress may be the initial trigger for trigeminal neuralgia.

After the trigeminal nerve leaves your brain and travels through your skull, it divides into three smaller branches, controlling sensation throughout your face:

 

·       The first branch controls sensation in your eye, upper eyelid and forehead.

·       The second branch controls sensation in your lower eyelid, cheek, nostril, upper lip and upper gum.

·       The third branch controls sensations in your jaw, lower lip, lower gum and some of the muscles you use for chewing.

You may feel pain in the area served by just one branch of the trigeminal nerve, or the pain may affect all branches on one side of your face.

Besides compression from blood vessel contact, other less frequent sources of pain to the trigeminal nerve may include:

·       Compression by a tumor

·       Multiple sclerosis

·       A stroke affecting the lower part of your brain, where the trigeminal nerve enters your central nervous system

A variety of triggers, many subtle, may set off the pain. These triggers may include:

 

·       Shaving

·       Stroking your face

·       Eating

·       Drinking

·       Brushing your teeth

·       Talking

·       Putting on makeup

·       Encountering a breeze

·       Smiling

Trigeminal neuralgia affects women more often than men. The disorder is more likely to occur in people who are older than 50. About 5 percent of people with trigeminal neuralgia have other family members with the disorder, which suggests a possible genetic cause in some cases.

 

When to seek medical advice

 

Some people mistake the pain of trigeminal neuralgia for a toothache or a headache. It's not uncommon for people to believe that their facial pain is dental-related, particularly when the pain seems to stem from the gumline or is located near a tooth.

If you experience facial pain, particularly prolonged pain or pain that hasn't gone away with use of over-the-counter pain relievers, see your dentist or doctor.