Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is an excruciating facial pain disorder characterized by sudden, severe, and stabbing pain along the trigeminal nerve, which controls facial sensations. Even mild stimuli like eating, speaking, or touching the face can trigger intense pain attacks, often described as electric shocks. This condition is typically caused by blood vessel compression on the nerve or nerve damage due to aging. Diagnosis involves a thorough medical history and sometimes imaging tests like MRIs. Treatment options include anticonvulsant medications, nerve-blocking procedures, or in severe cases, microvascular decompression surgery to alleviate nerve pressure. Trigeminal neuralgia can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, but with proper management, many individuals find relief from this debilitating condition.