When Facial Pain is Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is extreme pain and muscle spasms in the face. Attacks of intense, electric shock-like facial pain can occur without warning or be triggered by touching specific areas of the face. Although the exact cause of trigeminal neuralgia is not fully understood, a blood vessel is often found compressing the nerve.

When the trigeminal nerve becomes irritated, an attack of intense pain results. This can also cause uncontrollable facial twitching from the pain. Typical trigeminal neuralgia involves brief instances of intense pain, like an electrical shock in one side of the face. This pain comes in repeated waves that last an hour or more. People often describe an attack as a "pins and needles" sensation that turns into a burning or jabbing pain, or as an electrical shock that may last a few seconds or minutes.

Everyday activities can trigger an episode. Some patients are sensitive in certain areas of the face called trigger zones which, when touched, cause an attack. These zones are usually near the nose, lips, eyes, ears or inside the mouth. Therefore, this can dramatically affect everyday life. Some patients avoid talking, eating, kissing or even drinking. Other activities, such as the basics of shaving or brushing of teeth, can also trigger pain.

Trigeminal neuralgia affects 5 in every 100,000 people and occurs slightly more in women than men. Patients are usually middle age and older. Some people with multiple sclerosis also develop trigeminal neuralgia. Medication, injections, surgery, and radiation may be used to treat the pain. Each treatment offers benefits, but each also has limitations.