What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia are sharp, intense, sharp, stabbing, or shooting pain or burning sensation in the ear that last for a few seconds and are often accompanied by facial muscle twitches. Pain may be on the cheek, eye, lower jaw or even behind the upper eyelid and may be triggered by physical contact with another person, loud noises like music or whistling, chewing or talking. A patient can also be affected if the pain is caused due to an underlying medical condition, like thyroid or diabetes.
This pain is sometimes described as "stinging" in the ear. The pain may get worse with the pressure on the ear and may worsen over a period of time. The pain is described as a shooting pain that goes down the neck. Sometimes, the pain is described as a tingling sensation and can also come in the form of burning, numbness, or itching sensations.
The causes of this type of pain are not yet established and are believed to be genetic or as a result of a traumatic injury or acute pain. Most people suffering from this condition are in their thirties and forties. The exact cause is still not known but it is believed to be a combination of genetic predisposition and the environment.
Although there is no cure, this pain can be controlled with medication. Most medications used in this case include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are found in aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen and other such pain relievers. Oral drugs also work to reduce inflammation and reduce the pain.
Surgery is also a possible option when the condition cannot be managed using medications and when no other treatment has been found to provide relief. The most common form of surgery is the ear pinectomy where the affected area is cut open and then the nerves are cut and removed.
When the nerve roots have to do with the neck, the surgeon may cut out the spinal cord to remove any damaged areas. The surgeon then implants the severed spinal cords at the affected points so that the brain is not affected.
Some people opt for surgery, even if they do not have the condition and experience no pain while undergoing the procedure. However, this is only a temporary relief. It is important to consult a doctor before undergoing surgery because the surgery may involve removal of some of your healthy tissue in order to restore your hearing and speaking ability.
As with all surgical treatments there are different surgical treatments. Your doctor will tell you about the risks and complications of these different surgical treatments. It is best to discuss this with your doctor before and after surgery.
In most cases, surgery is performed on those with more severe cases of this condition and in cases where there are many layers to be removed or damaged, such as in cases of spinal surgery. If the condition is not that severe, surgery is often a better option than taking drugs or undergoing surgery. However, if the condition is too severe surgery may be necessary and it is recommended that the surgery be performed by a skilled surgeon.
In surgery, local anesthesia is used to numb the affected area. Local anesthesia helps to minimize the sensation and the pain and makes it easier to perform the procedure.
The procedure is usually done through the incision of the ears, around the lips or behind the ears. In the surgery, the surgeon removes part of the nerve roots and attaches them to the damaged area.
There is always a risk involved with the procedure and most people experience some type of pain during the procedure. Sometimes, the operation is covered under the insurance policy, and the cost of the procedure can vary depending on how much you pay for it. Sometimes surgery is covered with the purchase of a car, house or medical insurance.