Trigeminal Neuralgia is experienced by many to be the "most terrible pain known to man." The electric shock-like pain generally is on one side of the face and is spasmodic, coming in short bursts lasting a few seconds. Right side is commonly affected. Trigeminal neuralgia is a disorder of the trigeminal nerve, one of twelve pairs of cranial nerves in the head. The cranial nerves control movement and sense pressure, touch, pain and temperature in the head and neck.

A rapid widening and narrowing of blood vessel walls in the brain and head cause migraines. The fibres in the blood vessel wall become irritated and cause the pain. Blood vessels in the scalp are often involved in Migraines. Sometimes the throbbing pain of migraine is caused by an abnormal release of neuro chemicals in the brain such as serotonin or noradrenaline. Migraine sufferers might have born with a hypersensitive nervous system that makes them prone to headaches.

There are stimulations from the life-style or the environmental "trigger," such as a hormonal change or certain types of food or chemical can provoke an attack.

Life-style Factors

  Sclerosis of nerve sheaths is the commonest cause
      Pressure of a blood vessel on the root of the nerve
      Dental and surgical procedures may damage the nerve
      Infection
      Tumour
      Injury

What are the symptoms?

Trigeminal neuralgia pain appears suddenly as a sharp electrical, shocking, stinging, stabbing pain.There is no facial numbness or weakness. It lasts for several seconds and may repeat many times during the day. Usually only one side of the face is affected. The pain may last for days, weeks or months and then may disappear for months, even years. In between the attacks the patient is perfectly normal..

     The pain is reflected from the three branches of the trigeminal nerve. The ophthalmic branch may reflect on the eye, forehead and nose. Maxillary pain felt over upper teeth, gum, lip, the cheek, lower eyelid and the side of the nose. Mandibular the third branch affects lower teeth, gum, lower lip and the jaw.

     The pain is often triggered by cold air, hot liquid, chewing, talking, shaving, eating and a host of other things. The triggers may vary from person to person.

How to find out?

A thorough medical examination and history of symptoms are needed. Tests such as CT & MRI scans and Angiography are also neccesary to rule out any serious medical problems.These studies help to identify the compression by a vein or a tumour.

What treatment will be suitable?

Homoeopathic Medicines are very wonderful in the treatment of nerve diseases. I have treated some cases of Trigeminal neuralgia. It is wonderful to note that the patients who had been under heavy Analgesics and Narcotics such as Mazetal and all are now free from medications. I had a few cases with recurrence and have successfully treated them with repetition of the same potency.