It may start off as a tingle. Then, as time goes by that tingle becomes a stinging sensation slowly creeping up the side of your face. All of a sudden, you feel like someone has taken a blow torch and is burning your skin off. What kind of suffering would one encounter such as this? It's called Trigeminal Neuralgia and it's a facial nerve disease that can be an caused as an onset to diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis.
Background
The Trigeminal nerve carries sensation from the face to your brain. When this nerve malfunctions, the result is a mild annoyance to excruciating pain that can interfere with daily life. Trigeminal Neuralgia is also called the "suicide disease" because many people who suffer from this disease and are unable to seek relief become depressed and often become suicidal. It is hard to diagnose from doctors and the most common people affected are women over 40.
Symptoms
Pain can be spread out or focused on one side. It can range from a from a twinge to a stabbing and burning sensation.
Diagnosis
The doctor may order CT or MRI scans to determine if the patient indeed has Trigeminal Neuralgia.
Treatment
Medications geared towards controlling pain are administered. Three common drugs used for treatment are: Carbamazepine, an anti-convulsant drug. Other drugs include: phenytoin, gabapentin and lamotrigine and baclofen. When this doesn't work, surgery is the next option. Some procedures such as Gamma Knife Surgery (where the nerve is severed) have proven quite effective in treating Trigeminal Neuralgia.
Rose Broyles is the Chief Editor and Webmaster forhttp://www.caring-for-mom-and-dad.info, a website part personal blog and information portal for current events, medical, health and legal news pertaining to senior citizens and eldercare. When you sign up for the monthly newsletter, you will receive a FREE 30-page guide to Senior Housing and Long Term Care.
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