Trigeminal inflammation is a rather problematic disease, as it significantly affects the sensitivity of the face and affects the vessels of the brain, causing periodic pain. It is characterized by a wide variety of changeable signs, and painful sensations can occur in any area of the face.
The causes of the pathology have not yet been fully studied, however, it is worth noting that it is mainly characteristic of women after 55 years of age. Often, its development occurs against the background of a decrease in the protective functions of the body, which is most often observed in old age.
Since the trigeminal nerve occupies the entire facial area, it is often difficult for the patient to determine exactly where the inflammation occurred. Sharp and acute pain very often interferes with focusing, which is why immediate consultation with a neurologist and proper treatment is required.
Features of the disease
Trigeminal inflammation is often called neuralgia. This condition affects the area of the face where the nerve endings are located on both sides of it, passing near the nose, eyebrows and lower jaw.
This nerve belongs to the most sensitive part of the neurological branch, therefore, the inflammatory process affects the entire head, spreading to the muscles of the face, and for a long time affects the affected areas. That is why pain can occur on one or the other side. Discomfort occurs until painkillers are taken.
Causes of occurrence
The main causes of trigeminal inflammation are not always known, neuralgia very often proceeds as a complication of the underlying disease. Such a violation can be triggered by the normal process of aging. Doctors distinguish several groups of the course of the disease.
Among the causes of trigeminal inflammation, the contact of a blood vessel and a nerve should be highlighted. Such an arrangement can create significant pressure, and repeated compression provokes the development of an erosive process that changes the conductivity of nerve impulses, as a result of which inflammation occurs. In addition, there are structural causes of trigeminal inflammation on the face, which include such as:
- abnormalities of blood vessels;
- dental problems;
- multiple sclerosis;
- facial damage and hypothermia;
- allergic manifestations
- tumors and cysts;
- metabolic disease;
- complications after a herpetic infection.
Spontaneous attacks of inflammation can be triggered by a variety of movements or habitual activities. In some people, sensitivity is observed in certain facial areas, when exposed to which a painful attack can occur. In addition, the violation can be congenital, and this occurs as a result of the special construction of blood vessels.
Of great importance are psychological factors, in particular emotional upheaval and depression. They significantly worsen the well-being of the patient, provoking an inflammatory process.
Main classification
Like many other diseases, trigeminal inflammation is divided into several types, namely, it can be true and secondary. The true type of disease occurs as a result of squeezing nerve endings or impaired functioning of the circulatory system. The secondary form manifests itself in the course of other diseases and disorders as complications.
It develops over a long time, and over time, the symptoms change significantly. However, despite this, the disease often affects only one nerve process.
Features of inflammation during pregnancy
During pregnancy, women are prohibited from self-treatment of trigeminal inflammation. After confirming the diagnosis, physiotherapy or similar procedures are prescribed.
Other methods, including drug therapy, are resorted to only in extreme cases, since during this period, medication is extremely undesirable. If you can’t do without them, then the doctors select the safest options for expectant mothers.
The main symptoms
Doctors distinguish such signs of trigeminal inflammation as:
- painful sensations;
- lacrimation
- redness and swelling of the eyelids;
- involuntary contraction of the muscles of the face;
- general weakness;
- trouble sleeping
- muscle cramps.
Among the main symptoms, one can also distinguish fever, headaches, numbness of the face, chills. The main sign of trigeminal inflammation is pain. The pain is localized in the lower jaw, and then gradually gives off to the whole face, neck and eyes. Discomfort is greatly enhanced by hypothermia, conversation, or food intake. It is worth noting that pain cannot be eliminated with conventional painkillers.
Most of the symptoms of trigeminal inflammation have a progressive course, and if they are not addressed in a timely manner, then they may remain with the therapy. This means that a person will periodically be disturbed by pain attacks, muscle tremors and numbness of the face. If the therapy is not carried out correctly, then very complex and dangerous complications can occur.
Diagnostics
Since the disease has severe symptoms, specialists can easily diagnose it. To determine the causes of the pathology, a thorough diagnosis of trigeminal inflammation should be carried out, which includes:
- examination of the patient;
- blood analysis;
- tomography ；
- study of the nervous system;
- angiography.
All these diagnostic techniques will help to accurately determine the predisposing factor that leads to the development of an attack. Initially, you need to visit a neurologist, however, with a toothache, a dentist consultation is required to correctly determine the nature of the disease.
First aid
With the onset of symptoms of trigeminal inflammation, it is necessary to provide the patient with competent timely help. This will normalize the patient’s well-being and slow down the development of the disease. First of all, drafts and hypothermia should be avoided, so it is advisable to cover your face with a scarf or scarf. It is also recommended that you wear high-necked items.
During an attack, you should limit the consumption of too cold or hot dishes and drinks. Spicy food also has a certain effect on the course of the disease, which is why it should be abandoned. Herbal tea will help reduce pain. However, it is worth noting that such drugs have only a short-term analgesic effect.
Treatment features
What to do with inflammation of the trigeminal nerve? Only a qualified doctor will be able to help in this matter. That is why when the first signs occur, you should definitely contact a specialist. Without a comprehensive treatment, the disease will begin to progress even more and go into the chronic stage.
When the acute form of the patient proceeds, they are sent to a hospital. Hospitalization continues until the elimination of severe soreness and severe asymmetry of the face. Then the treatment of trigeminal inflammation is carried out at home. Modern drug therapy implies a novocaine blockade, as well as the appointment of pain medications.
To eliminate puffiness, doctors prescribe corticosteroids and antispasmodics. With inflammation, glycerin injections can be effective, which are injected directly into the affected area. In addition, the doctor will prescribe funds for relaxing the muscles of the face.
During the recovery period, when the symptoms begin to subside somewhat, physiotherapeutic treatment of trigeminal inflammation and alternative medicine are used. In particular, we are talking about such techniques as:
- electrophoresis;
- phonophoresis;
- laser application;
- acupuncture;
- acupressure;
- physiotherapy.
All therapeutic measures used in the complex help to normalize blood circulation, eliminate pain, swelling, asymmetry and numbness of the muscles of the face. In addition, they help improve the functioning of the nervous and immune systems.
The sooner the course of therapy is carried out, the greater the likelihood that the disease will be completely cured, prevent the development of complications and the occurrence of relapses. In the most difficult cases, surgical intervention is required.
Drug therapy
Medication for trigeminal inflammation is based on the use of anti-inflammatory drugs that eliminate pain and the cause of their occurrence. Often, doctors prescribe Carbamazepine. The medicine has an anticonvulsant effect and lowers the activity of neurons. The course of therapy is approximately 8 weeks.
In addition, “Gabantin”, nicotinic acid, “Neuromultivitis” can be prescribed in the complex. If the inflammation occurred due to the penetration of bacteria or viruses, then antiviral agents or antibiotics are prescribed, in particular such as Nimesulide or Flemoxin. Finlepsin has a good effect in case of trigeminal inflammation, which is prescribed in combination with other anticonvulsant drugs.
To eliminate painful sensations, painkillers such as Midokalm, Nimesil, Glycine, Movalis should be taken. With severe pain, such drugs as Ketanov, Menovazin, which are analgesics, are required.
Also, the doctor will prescribe vitamin complexes, neuroprotectors, glucocorticoids. To eliminate swelling and pain, ointments and gels are prescribed for topical application. It can be such means as Dimexidum, Ketonal.
All drugs must be used strictly as prescribed by the doctor and in accordance with the treatment regimen. An overdose can significantly aggravate the course of the disease and provoke various side effects.
Folk techniques
You can carry out not only drug treatment of trigeminal inflammation, but also use alternative methods. Preference is given to medicinal herbs with anti-inflammatory, sedative and analgesic effects. Among the many plants, the most suitable are:
- motherwort;
- hop cones;
- valerian root.
Calendula, chamomile, St. John's wort have anti-inflammatory effects. It is also recommended to rub fir oil in the skin, make compresses with tincture of marshmallow. They have a warming effect. It is worth remembering that all home-made medicines must be used very carefully and only after consulting a doctor.
Massage
Massage with inflammation of the trigeminal nerve helps very well in the initial stages of the course of the disease or during the use of medications. Carry out a similar manipulation in a sitting position, while the patient should slightly lean his head back in the chair.
The specialist acts very gently on the affected facial areas with the fingers, massaging all adjacent muscles in a circular motion. In addition, special exercises will be very useful. These include warming up the spine, neck and lumbar. This helps the patient relax and relieve tension.
Dieting
With neuralgia, the patient needs to receive a sufficient amount of vitamins and at the same time follow a certain diet, with the exception of possible irritants. In this case, doctors recommend consuming food only at room temperature.
Do not eat spicy foods and abuse sweets. In the usual diet you need to add products such as:
- lean meat;
- vegetable oil;
- eggs
- potatoes.
These products contain substances that help strengthen the immune system and prevent the development of inflammation.
Operation
Medications are not always able to completely eliminate inflammation of the trigeminal nerve on the face, especially if it is severe. In this case, the operation is indicated. There are two main methods of surgical intervention, namely radiofrequency and vascular decompression.
Radio frequency exposure is less traumatic and is carried out using local anesthesia. The doctor sends an electric impulse to the inflamed area, and this leads to the elimination of the affected nerve endings.
Decompression is performed by opening the cranial fossa. The doctor separates the nerve roots, squeezed by the vessels, and has special pads between them. Such manipulation makes it possible to prevent the likelihood of compression of the nerve endings.
If there is a re-occurrence of pain, the doctor selects other methods of therapeutic measures.
Alternative techniques
It is important not only to know how to remove inflammation of the trigeminal nerve, but also how to prolong the period of remission. An alternative method of therapy, which includes physiotherapy, magnetotherapy, acupuncture, provides a reasonably good result.
The principle of magnetotherapy is based on the supply of low-frequency magnetic pulses directed directly to the area of inflammation. A similar method helps to slightly alleviate pain and slow down the course of the inflammatory process. Physiotherapy techniques are also widely used, which include:
- diadynamic therapy;
- laser application;
- phonophoresis;
- ultraviolet and infrared radiation.
Acupuncture is one of the most effective methods of treatment, which directly affects the nerve endings of the face. In this case, the doctor finds the required points on the face and puts small needles on them, fixing the time. Such a procedure helps to normalize the functioning of the nervous system and slightly reduce the existing symptoms.
Possible consequences
Despite the fact that this disease is not deadly, untimely therapeutic measures can lead to quite serious complications and consequences of trigeminal inflammation, namely:
- the emergence of feelings of depression;
- persistent pain ；
- general weakness.
In addition, for a person it becomes quite difficult to consume food due to pain, which leads to a decrease in immunity and the development of concomitant diseases.
Prophylaxis
To prevent the onset and subsequent development of the disease, preventive measures must be taken. To do this, it is recommended:
- normalize the diet;
- avoid hypothermia;
- take daily walks;
- not to allow nervous strain;
- conduct hardening of the body.
In addition, moderate exercise is indicated. Prevention helps to prevent the occurrence of not only inflammation of the trigeminal nerve, but also many other diseases.