Trigeminal neuralgia is an inflammatory disease characterized by a large number of unpleasant symptoms. The patient complains of severe pain, the determination of the localization of which is almost impossible. If the trigeminal nerve is inflamed, you should seek medical help as soon as possible in order to avoid the development of unpleasant complications.
Anatomical information
What is the trigeminal nerve, children learn in high school. But in adulthood, you have to remember him only when inflammation develops. The trigeminal nerve is one of the largest of the 12 cranial nerves. It belongs to the mixed type, has sensitive and motor fibers. Three branches emerge from the trigeminal node — the orbital nerve, the maxillary nerve and the mandibular nerve. It is thanks to them that the sensitivity of the face, mucous membranes of the oral cavity, and teeth is ensured. Due to motor function, chewing and some other muscles come into activity.
The trigeminal nerve is paired. It is located on both sides of the head. The base of the trigeminal ganglion is located above the ear. When inflammation develops in this area, it can be difficult for the patient to explain what exactly hurts. Unpleasant sensations can be localized throughout the face or give to the neck, tongue, teeth. In some cases, pain is manifested in the arm, forearm.
Trigeminal nerve damage
The disease is common. According to statistics, up to 4 people per 10 thousand people suffer from unpleasant symptoms. Trigeminal inflammation in the ICD-10 received code G50.
Many factors can provoke the development of the pathological process. In the course of research, it was found out that people with vascular pathology are more at risk of inflammation. Neuralgia often develops in patients with arterial hypertension, cerebral atherosclerosis. Pain will develop with aneurysm of the vessel located next to the trigeminal ganglion.
In a separate group of reasons include volumetric formations - cerebral tumors, neoplasms of the skull bones. Any formations located at the base of the trigeminal node or along the branches can provoke the development of severe pain. Compression (squeezing) is manifested, which leads to the development of neuralgia.
The disease can develop against a background of narrowing of bone canals against a background of chronic otitis media, sinusitis, and head injuries. Unpleasant symptoms can also provoke an incorrect bite (congenital or acquired).
Increased chewing load, rejection of timely treatment of dental diseases, the presence of herpes infection in the body, reduced immunity - all this can lead to inflammation of the trigeminal nerve on the face. Against the background of a chronic infection, morphological changes occur in the fiber membrane in the body. In this case, the first symptoms of the disease do not always develop immediately. The defeat of nerve fibers for some time may not manifest itself. Strong pain, as a rule, manifests itself suddenly - during brushing, morning washing, laughter.
With trigeminal neuralgia, elderly patients are more likely to suffer from chronic infections, diseases of the cardiovascular system, metabolic disorders.
Signs of the disease
How is trigeminal inflammation on the face? Symptoms can be quite varied. Some complain of severe pain in the ear, others rush to make an appointment with a dentist because of excruciating pain in their teeth. Most often, unpleasant symptoms develop in the upper or lower jaw. Painkillers only temporarily relieve the patient's condition. Pain can be aggravated by chewing, talking, washing with cold water.
Unpleasant sensations, as a rule, have a cyclical character. The pain intensifies, then subsides. Many patients note that they experience an “electric shock” after touching a specific area of the face. In some patients, unpleasant sensations are repeated once or twice a day, in others - every hour.
A number of patients show atypical pain. This covers almost the entire face. Pain worries on an ongoing basis, it is impossible to determine exactly where it is localized. The pathological process is also manifested by other symptoms - increased salivation, lacrimation, numbness of the lips and forehead, redness of the skin, involuntary contraction of the muscles of the face.
Classification
The doctor chooses the right therapeutic tactics after determining what type of disease the disease belongs to. If the exact cause of trigeminal inflammation cannot be determined, the pathological process is classified as idiopathic. Such a disease is more difficult to treat, frequent relapses are possible.
Secondary or symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia is the result of chronic diseases, vascular disorders, tumors, bone changes. It is possible to remove unpleasant symptoms thanks to the treatment of the underlying disease.
Diagnostics
Inflammation of the trigeminal facial nerve can be easily confused with another disease with similar symptoms. The doctor prescribes treatment only after a thorough examination. If the above symptoms appear, the patient must make an appointment with a neurologist. The specialist can make a preliminary diagnosis after examination, as well as on the basis of patient complaints. It is possible to verify that it was precisely trigeminal neuralgia that was encountered due to the following methods:
- Computed tomography of the skull. The technique makes it possible to determine the change in the size and relative position of the bone structures of the skull. If there are tumors, cysts, or other neoplasms in the trigeminal region, this can also be considered.
- Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. The study is performed if there is a suspicion of a volumetric mass that can compress the trigeminal ganglion or nerve branches. The technique also allows you to visualize small tumors and cysts.
- MR angiography. The technique makes it possible to identify or exclude the pathology of blood vessels located in the trigeminal zone.
With inflammation of the trigeminal nerve on the face, the symptoms can be different. If, in addition to pain, redness of the skin, swelling, tearing is observed, consultation of related specialists (ophthalmologist, dermatologist, dentist, otolaryngologist, etc.) may be required.
Drug treatment of the disease
With timely access to qualified medical help, conservative therapy shows good results. Therapy is primarily aimed at stopping the hyper-excitation of nerve fibers. Good results are shown by drugs from the group of anticonvulsants. Many patients are prescribed carbamazepine. Treatment begins with a minimum dosage, then increase the daily rate to achieve the optimal effect. After achieving the desired result (eliminating pain), therapy is carried out for several months to consolidate the result. If you abandon the medicine earlier, a relapse is possible.
Ancillary therapy is also of great importance. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ketorol, Nalgesin), antispasmodics (Spazmolgon, Papaverin) can be used to stop pain syndromes. Antihistamines (Tavegil, Supradin) help reduce puffiness and restore normal complexion.
The defeat of the trigeminal nerve, as a rule, is recurrent in nature. If once already had to face unpleasant symptoms, the disease may manifest itself again. Therefore, it is important for the patient to avoid hypothermia, limit chewing activity, and regularly undergo examination by a neurologist. During an exacerbation of the disease, it is worth abandoning any physical activity. Bed rest will not be superfluous. A full rest will enhance the effect of drug therapy. It is temporarily recommended to abandon excessive eye strain.
During an exacerbation of the disease, when inflammation of the trigeminal nerve on the face is manifested by painful pains, treatment is carried out using potent anesthetics. Good results are also shown by the introduction of glucocorticoid hormones into the trimeric points.
Physiotherapeutic treatment
Good results can be achieved only by a comprehensive treatment of the trigeminal nerve of the face. Symptoms can also be overcome using physiotherapeutic procedures. Good results are shown by galvanization with novocaine. Through the skin in the area of inflammation, an electric shock of low voltage is performed. The procedure allows to reduce the manifestations of pain, accelerates the regeneration of the affected fibers.
With the help of diadynamic currents, inflammation of the trigeminal nerve is also treated. Photos of the procedure can be seen below. The affected area is affected by polysinusoidal currents. The technique helps to quickly eliminate pain. In the initial stages, the procedure can be performed several times a day.
Good results are achieved thanks to the introduction of medicines into the body using ultrasound. The procedure is called "ultraphonophoresis." Therapy is carried out using glucocorticoids. Already on the first day of treatment, it is possible to stop strong pain, start the recovery process of the affected nerve fibers.
Physiotherapeutic procedures show good results. However, for their conduct must be evidence. Categorically it is impossible to use such techniques in the presence of malignant tumors or aneurysms in the trigeminal zone.
Surgical intervention
Conservative therapy is not always good. If the symptoms do not go away with inflammation of the trigeminal nerve, the doctor may decide to have surgery. This may also occur in the presence of neoplasms in the affected area.
Microsurgical decompression is a method of radical surgical elimination of neuralgia. A small trepanation hole is made in the behind-the-ear area, through which the surgeon inserts instruments with a microscope. Intervention is carried out exclusively under general anesthesia. Therefore, elderly patients (over 70) have a risk of cardiovascular complications.
A less radical method is percutaneous radiofrequency destruction. The procedure has many advantages. The specialist is able to easily act on small areas without damaging adjacent sensory nerves. Patient recovery is fast enough. The risk of complications is minimized. A week after surgery, a person can return to a full life. If the radio frequency destruction is performed correctly, the effect of its destruction is preserved for years. The patient for a long time forgets what the trigeminal nerve is. However, relapses, unfortunately, are not always avoided.
If there are lesions in the trigeminal region, stereotactic radiosurgery can be performed. This is a minimally invasive technique that allows you to penetrate into tissues and destroy the tumor at the cellular level without great risk. At the same time, vital structures are not damaged.
ethnoscience
To forget about the trigeminal nerve forever, all methods are good. Popular recipes and traditional medicine. Some of them really show high efficiency. However, it is important to discuss any method of therapy with your doctor in order to avoid the development of complications.
For the treatment of diseases of a neurological nature, medicines based on medicinal herbs are widely used: burdock, aloe, lemon balm, geranium, yarrow, etc. Medical lotions and infusions for oral administration allow the inflamed trigeminal nerve to normal. Where to get raw materials for cooking? Medicinal plants can be collected independently or purchased in a pharmacy in dried form.
Good results are shown by a medicinal decoction based on mint, valerian and St. John's wort. Dried raw materials are mixed in equal proportions (150-200 g each). Two tablespoons of the resulting mixture are poured with half a liter of water, brought to a boil and simmer for another 10 minutes. Then the product must be cooled and insisted for another 5 hours in a dark place. The finished medicine is filtered and taken in a tablespoon three times a day for two weeks.
If there are symptoms of inflammation of the trigeminal facial nerve, treatment at home can be carried out using a decoction based on burdock and chamomile. The dry ingredients are mixed in equal proportions, 300 g of the mixture are poured with half a liter of water, brought to a boil and boiled for another 15 minutes. The finished medicine is infused for a day under a closed lid, then filtered. The infusion is drunk over the next day in small sips.
If you had to find out what the trigeminal nerve is and how its inflammation manifests itself, you should pay attention to aloe. This plant will help eliminate pain, speed up the process of regeneration of affected tissues. For therapy, aloe should be used, whose age does not exceed three years. A teaspoon of plant juice should be consumed three times a day before meals. Refuse such therapy will have people with a tendency to allergies.
If unpleasant symptoms appear, treatment of the trigeminal nerve at home can be carried out using birch sap. The drink has a unique composition, with its help you can cope with inflammation, strengthen the body's defenses. A day should drink at least two glasses. Birch sap can also be used to wash your face.
Widely used a variety of therapeutic lotions. Geranium will help to quickly relieve pain with trigeminal inflammation. The cut plant is applied to the sore spot, attached with a gauze bandage. After a few hours, the lotion is removed and a new plant is applied.
Effective are compresses from the root of the marshmallow. Grind a few roots and pour 200 ml of boiling water. The drug should be infused throughout the day. In the finished product, a piece of bandage or linen cloth is moistened, squeezed and applied to the affected area. A warm towel is placed on top. The duration of the procedure is 30-40 minutes. Such therapy can be carried out several times a day.
Treatment Prediction and Prevention
You should not postpone a visit to the doctor if the trigeminal facial nerve makes itself felt unpleasant. Early treatment shows good results. It is possible to get rid of unpleasant signs completely. Categorically you can not do independent therapy. This can lead to the development of dangerous complications.
Facial paresis is a common consequence of improper treatment of trigeminal inflammation. The muscles of the face become weak, facial functions decrease. As a result, deformation of the face develops. This is a serious aesthetic defect that leads to psychological complexes.
Improper treatment of trigeminal inflammation in the face can also lead to decreased hearing and vision. The patient loses the ability to solve simple everyday tasks.
If once already had to face inflammation of the trigeminal facial nerve, special attention should be paid to the prevention of relapse. It is important to regularly conduct examinations by a neurologist, treat any diseases in a timely manner, and undergo preventive examinations by a dentist. With the reappearance of pain, you must immediately consult a doctor.