Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is pain caused by the trigeminal nerve, which is the nerve that carries sensation from your face to your brain.

Evaluating Your Condition

WHAT CAUSES TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA?

The most common cause of trigeminal neuralgia is contact between the trigeminal nerve and a blood vessel at the base of your skull. The blood vessel exerts pressure on the trigeminal nerve causing it to send pain signals to the brain. Other causes include trauma to the nerve, multiple sclerosis, or tumor compressing the nerve. On rare occasions, there is no identifiable cause for trigeminal neuralgia.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA?

  • Episodic severe pain in one side of your face that is often described as shooting, stabbing, or electrical shock-like
  • Constant aching and burning sensations in the cheek, lips, mouth, eye, or forehead.

Common Treatments Available for Trigeminal Neuralgia