What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Trigeminal Neuralgia is a chronic condition caused by trigeminal nerve pain. Trigeminal Nerve is the fifth cranial nerve carrying various sensations to the face and motor functions as mastication and swallowing. Its 3 divisions-opthalmic, maxillary and mandibular carries sensation to the entire face, eyes, mucosa of sinuses and cheeks
- Ophthalmic branch carries sensation from brain to eyes, upper eyelid and forehead
- Maxillary branch carries sensation from brain to lower eyelid, nose cheeks and upper lip
- Mandibular branch carries sensation from lower lip, jaw, mucus membrane of mouth, throat
Trigeminal Neuralgia results in episodes of severe and intense electric shock like pain generally on one side of the face
Who can get Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Trigeminal Neuralgia mainly affects women but can affect anyone. It is seen mainly in
- Middle age people
- Elderly people
- Young people with multiple sclerosis
Symptoms of Trigeminal Neuralgia
Person suffering from Trigeminal Neuralgia may experience one or more of the following
- Episodes of sharp, shooting electric shock like pain
- The pain may last from few seconds to minutes
- Pain may start at one point and then spread to other parts of face
- Numbness, tingling, twitching of parts can also accompany the facial pain.
- Pain may get trigger or start following the exposure to
Cold winds
Washing the face
Blow on face
Brushing the teeth
Eating
Talking and others
Why Trigeminal Neuralgia occurs?
Trigeminal Neuralgia can occur if
- The myelin sheath protecting the nerve gets damage
- The nerve is been compressed by adjacent blood vessels or by any kind of tumor
- Nerve injury after dental procedures or any kind of oral surgeries
Diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia
The diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia is been made clinically based on symptoms. There is no test to diagnose the condition however Imaging test can be done to rule out any structural pathology in brain.
Conventional Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia
Conventionally Trigeminal Neuralgia is being treated with the help of anti convulsant drugs or anti depressant therapy. If that does not help, then other treatment options as surgery, Microvascular Decompression, Balloon Compression, Radio Frequency Lesioning, Glycerol injections can be used as a part of treatment.
Role of Homeopathy in Trigeminal Neuralgia
Homeopathic treatment is highly effective in treating Trigeminal Neuralgia and it is safe with no side effects. Homeopathic medicines can be taken along along with other prescribed conventional medicines. Homeopathic medicines are selected according to causation, symptoms similarity, personality of a person that can help to get rid of the pain very effectively and permanently. Some of the common medicines for Trigeminal Neuralgia are
Agaricus Muscarius: Tearing pain in the cheek with facial twitching and stiffness and coldness of the parts. Burning in eyeballs and lids with needle like pricking pain
Heckla Lava: Teeth carries or extraction of the tooth leading to facial neuralgia with marked inflammation
Mag Phos: Pulsating pain after exposure to cold wind. Pain after wisdom teeth extraction. Tearing pain aggravating in night and after exposure to cold. Right side of the face is mostly affected
Rhododendron: Severe jerking pain including whole pain from temple to chin. Pain feels better by eating and by warmth
Rhus Tox: Facial Neuralgia with pain in maxillary joints. Cheeks are sensitive to touch with chilliness of parts. Great restlessness and needs to move about.
Sanguinaria: Neuralgic pain extending in all directions from upper jaw with burning of the cheeks.
For best results contact Anju Gupta of Homeopathy Health Care and we can help you to overcome the excruciating pain of Trigeminal Neuralgia to lead a normal easy pain free life. We serve you from three locations within GTA: Brampton, Etobicoke and Scarborough. Give us a call at 416-854-5941 and we will work with you to get relieve of this pain leading a normal healthy life
Self Care in Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Avoid any kind of stress
- Avoid exposure to cold winds
- Cover your head when going out especially in winter
- Take soft diet and avoid hard chewing
- Identify what triggers the pain and try avoiding it
- Maintain good oral hygiene