The skin and muscles of the face intersect with a complex system of nerves and nerve endings. The trigeminal nerve is one of the most important nodes responsible for the sensitivity of almost all parts of the face and head. If it gets cold, the treatment should be immediate and serious. It is worth knowing that the consequences of this disease can be anything, up to the loss of sensitivity of the face, eyes and serious inflammatory processes. Below will be described in more detail what to do if the trigeminal nerve is cold, about the symptoms and treatment that is used most often.
What it is
The trigeminal nerve is a paired organ that is part of the cranial brain department of the human nervous system. It has three branches that are directed to the frontal zone, lower and upper jaw and carry impulses to different parts of the face. The nerve is responsible for chewing, facial expressions and provides sensitivity to the skin of the face. Control itself occurs in the spinal cord.
You should know that to freeze the trigeminal nerve means to provoke an inflammatory process that causes severe pain and spasms of the facial muscles. In this case, pain attacks are similar to electric shocks and can occur spontaneously in various areas of the face and head. Most often, neuralgia occurs due to the compression of the nerve fibers by the vessels.
Causes
If the trigeminal nerve on the face is caught, first of all it is necessary to understand the causes of the pathology. Most often they are the most common situations that people face almost every day. These include:
- air conditioning on;
- open window in transport or at home;
- cold wind.
You should know that the inflammatory process in the body can begin several minutes after contact with a stream of cold air.
Other reasons
In addition to triggering the trigeminal nerve, there are other factors that can cause inflammation:
- infectious diseases;
- various head injuries;
- intoxication of the body;
- allergy;
- autoimmune pathologies;
- violation of the structure of blood vessels and blood circulation.
A great influence in this matter is exerted by the state of the body's immune system. The risk of freezing the trigeminal nerve is much lower with good immunity than with a weak one.
Signs of the disease
The main symptom of the disease is considered a severe pain in the face. As a rule, it is paroxysmal in nature and is felt as a shock.
In addition, if the trigeminal nerve is caught, the symptoms may be as follows:
- increased salivation and lacrimation;
- runny nose;
- anxiety, irritability, sleep disturbance;
- fever.
On the face, the disease manifests itself in the form of:
- peeling and redness of the skin;
- twitching of the facial muscles;
- spasms of the eyelids;
- asymmetries of the face.
Numbness and pain are most often manifested in the area of the nasolabial triangle, the wings of the nose and chin. If the trigeminal nerve is cold, treatment should begin immediately after the first signs. Untimely contacting a specialist can lead to serious consequences. Self-medication is a health hazard.
Some features
If the trigeminal nerve is cold, the symptoms largely depend on which branches are affected the most:
- Branch 1 - the sensitivity of the upper eyelid, nasal dorsum in the frontal zone, eyeball decreases or completely disappears.
- Branch 2 - violations are manifested in the upper part of the cheekbone, jaw, lower eyelid, maxillary sinuses, lower nose.
- Branch 3 - the oral cavity hurts, the entire lower part of the face, chewing processes are disrupted.
Diagnostics
When a patient for the first time experiences signs of neuralgia, he must first be examined by a dentist and therapist to detect symptoms and prescribe the right treatment. If such an examination fails, a more in-depth diagnostic study is performed by a neurosurgeon and a neuropathologist.
During the admission, the doctor examines the face area to determine the branch of the trigeminal nerve, which leads to pain. Most often, the causes that contribute to the occurrence of trigeminal neuralgia are not serious pathologies. But still, do not exclude the presence of sclerosis or a tumor.
To make a more accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct a magnetic resonance scan. If the doctor confirms that the trigeminal nerve is cold, treatment will be carried out in accordance with the clinical picture.
Therapy Features
First of all, drugs are used to relieve symptoms. If they do not help or if unwanted side effects appear, your doctor may suggest alternative treatments. You should be aware that conventional painkillers sold in pharmacies without a doctor’s prescription (Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Paracetamol) will not be effective against a congestive nerve.
Muscle relaxants and anticonvulsants are used to combat pain. Most patients receive at least short-term relief from these medicines. If it is necessary to achieve high efficiency, medications should be taken regularly to maintain a constant level in the blood.
Most often, specialists prescribe the following anticonvulsants:
- "Carbamazepine";
- Gabapentin
- "Pregabalin";
- Phenytoin;
- "Lamotrigine."
These drugs are used to treat epilepsy. If the drug loses its effectiveness, the doctor may increase the dosage or switch to another medication. These medications can cause drowsiness, nausea, rash, impaired coordination, and blood diseases. Before their appointment, tests are done in order to determine a safe dosage.
From the group of muscle relaxants, Baclofen is most often used. In some cases, it is especially effective. The drug can provoke nausea, confusion, drowsiness.
Massage
A mandatory component in the treatment of an inflamed nerve is massage procedures. Such therapy is effective both during an exacerbation of the disease, and in remission.
Before you sign up with a massage specialist or do it yourself, you should consult your doctor. Since with advanced forms of neuralgia, it will not bring results and can even be dangerous.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is carried out after the complete elimination of the acute inflammatory process. They help extend the period of remission. Most commonly used:
- Phonophoresis with hydrocortisone. It is carried out even in the acute stage, to reduce the frequency of pain attacks.
- Electrophoresis with anti-inflammatory or analgesic agents.
- Magnetotherapy.
- Laser irradiation.
- Warming up with ultraviolet.
- Acupuncture.
- UHF
Physiotherapy helps to relax muscles, help restore blood circulation, improve muscle tone.
Operation
Surgical intervention is used in case of squeezing any vessels of the trigeminal nerve. This is done to stop the flow of signals from the nerves to the brain. After the organ is released, a teflon sponge is placed to protect it. She remains with the patient forever. The effect of such an operation is in most cases positive and does not leave side effects such as numbness of the face. The disadvantages of the operation include the risk associated with the proximity of the brain and general anesthesia.
Possible consequences
If the trigeminal nerve is frozen, and the therapy is not started in a timely manner, serious concomitant pathologies will begin to develop against the background of the inflammatory process. Facial neuralgia is dangerous with the following consequences:
- facial asymmetry;
- loss of eyebrows and eyelashes;
- conjunctivitis and keratitis;
- wrinkles;
- severe peeling of the skin;
- complete or partial atrophy of the masticatory muscles;
- loosening wisdom teeth.
Is it possible to warm
Very often, to the question: “I triggered the trigeminal nerve, what should I do?” Advice on conducting warming procedures. You should be aware that such procedures are contraindicated if the disease is in an acute stage. In addition, all external medicines should be at room temperature. Under the influence of heat, pathogens begin to multiply rapidly, and through the blood, the infection enters various organs. Warming up buckwheat or salt is indicated only during the period of remission of the disease.
Prevention
Avoid trigeminal neuralgia, or relapse of the disease will help constant monitoring of health status and preventive measures. These include:
- timely treatment of dental diseases;
- lack of stress and hypothermia;
- balanced, proper nutrition;
- playing sports;
- cold and hot shower;
- walks in the open air.
Conclusion
In the event that a person has caught a trigeminal nerve, only a doctor should decide how to treat and what to do. Self-treatment can lead to serious consequences for the body. Therefore, when signs of facial neuralgia appear, you should contact a specialist as soon as possible.