Trigeminal neuritis is a fairly common problem that affects almost all categories of the population equally. The disease is accompanied by severe, almost unbearable pain, so a person just needs qualified help.
Trigeminal neuritis and their causes
Neuritis means inflammation of nerve fibers. There are many reasons that can lead to the development of the inflammatory process. Most often, neuritis is the result of infection activity. In particular, syphilis, otitis media, and herpes can lead to such an ailment. In some cases, the source of pathogenic microorganisms is carious teeth or lesions of the tissues of the upper jaw, as well as improperly performed dental procedures (the introduction of anesthesia, tooth extraction, the exit of filling material beyond the root).
Often, neuritis occurs against the background of inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, as well as suppuration of the upper jaw cyst. The cause of the disease can be a severe facial injury. Risk factors include toxic poisoning and severe hypothermia.
Trigeminal neuritis: symptoms
The main sign of inflammation is sharp, strong, burning pains that occur, as a rule, in one half of the face and cover the eyes and eyelids, nose wings, upper jaw, teeth. Pain can instantly appear and also disappear quickly. Most often, attacks occur with pressure on the affected area of the face, exposure to cold, wind or a sharp change in temperature. Soreness is aggravated during laughter or conversation, chewing, brushing teeth and other varieties of habitual activity.
Trigeminal neuritis is often accompanied by complete or partial muscle paralysis on the affected side of the face. Symptoms also include lacrimation (most often from only one eye), increased salivation. Sometimes there is a tic (sharp contractions) of individual muscle groups of the face. Some patients complain of severe cramps of muscle fibers that are involved in the chewing process. Along with this, there is a decrease or, conversely, an increase in the sensitivity of the skin on the face.
In any case, such a disease is dangerous and extremely unpleasant. Indeed, constant sharp pains, refusal of food and other familiar things affect the patient’s emotional state.
Trigeminal neuritis and methods for their treatment
Of course, if you experience pain, you should immediately contact a neurologist. Only a doctor knows what trigeminal neuritis, symptoms, treatment of the disease. As a rule, first of all, the patient is selected with suitable painkillers that improve well-being and temporarily prevent the occurrence of new outbreaks of pain. Effective drugs are those containing ibuprofen and paracetamol, since these components not only relieve soreness, but also have anti-inflammatory properties.
Along with this, a complete diagnosis is carried out, which makes it possible to find out the cause of the development of the inflammatory process. If neuritis arose as a result of a tooth infection, then the diseased tooth is either healed or removed. If the inflammation is of an infectious origin, then antibiotics or antiviral drugs are used.
Sometimes physiotherapy procedures include electrophoresis with novocaine or ultraphonophoresis using hydrocortisone. In the most severe cases, when conservative treatment methods do not give any result, surgical intervention is necessary.