Neuralgia is a condition in which a lesion of the peripheral nerve (nerves) occurs. This ailment is characterized by the manifestation of attacks of painful sensations without impaired motor function and loss of sensitivity.
Facial neuralgia is characterized by the appearance of irritations, unilateral intense pain of the shooting type in the area of its innervation. Often there is pain when touching the skin of the eyebrows, lips, nose. Facial neuralgia is more common in women. In addition, as practice shows, this disease is often observed in patients older than 40 years.
The functions of the trigeminal (facial) nerve include the task of providing sensitivity in the face. Located on both sides, it has three branches. The first branch is responsible for ensuring the sensitivity of the skin of the forehead, upper eyelid and eyes. The second branch is responsible for the sensitivity of the nostrils, cheeks, gums, upper eyelid, upper lip. The function of the third branch includes providing sensitivity to several chewing muscles, gums, lower jaw and lips.
Usually neuralgia of the facial nerve is expressed in its compression, provoked by compression of it by veins or arteries in the posterior fossa of the skull. Squeezing can also occur due to the vascular loop, which refers to vascular anomaly. As another reason, experts call compression of the branches of the trigeminal nerve when they pass through the bone channels in the base of the skull. The narrowing of the channels can be congenital or occur due to the occurrence of chronic inflammation in adjacent areas. In rare cases, compression occurs due to a tumor in the cerebellopontine area.
Facial neuralgia. Symptoms
As a rule, an illness manifests itself without special reasons, spontaneously. In some cases, facial neuralgia occurs after dental treatment, injuries, and other influences. The disease is characterized by painful attacks of very severe pain. Localization of pain occurs in the zone of innervation of the branches. Painful irritations can last several seconds or minutes. Stop just as suddenly. In the intervals between attacks, pain is not observed. As a rule, the ailment is accompanied by some vegetative manifestations. These include facial flushing, increased lacrimation and salivation. In addition, the reflex character of contraction of the facial and masticatory muscles is observed.
The intensity of the seizures forces patients to take peculiar postures in order to reduce pain, breathe hard, or, conversely, hold their breath.
The pain may be shooting, burning or stitching. In some cases, seizures occur one after another at intervals of several minutes.
Facial neuralgia. Treatment
It should be noted that getting rid of the disease does not occur in all cases. However, with the use of modern methods and means, the soreness that accompanies seizures can be significantly alleviated.
First of all, the patient is prescribed an anticonvulsant drug. Therapy includes the use of phenytoin, carbamazepine. The dosage of medicines is selected individually by the doctor. Strengthening the action of anticonvulsants is achieved with the help of antihistamines. In addition, therapy involves the use of vasodilators and antispasmodics. Physiotherapy (diadynamic currents, ion galvanization with amidopyrine, novocaine, etc.) is very effective for neuralgia. To improve trophism, B vitamins and multivitamins are used.
In the absence of the effect of complex drug exposure, surgery is prescribed. In many cases, therapy involves microsurgical decompression of the nerve branches.