There is a disease which is so irritating that people used to commit suicide due to it. It’s one of the headache diseases. The pain is so unbearable that, people used to commit suicide out of depression. In past when there were no treatments available, it was very lethal. Trigeminal neuralgia was first described by physician john fothergill and treated surgically by John murray. Historically TN has been called “suicide disease” due to studies by the pioneering forefather in neurosurgery Harvey Cushing involving 123 cases of TN during 1896 and 1912. In those studies it produced intense pain, higher rates of suicidal ideation in patients.
WHAT IS TRIGEMINAL NERVE
Our brain gives rise to 12 cranial nerves. Trigeminal is the 5th one. It helps in feeling the sensation of the face and helps in chewing. The part of the nerve which helps in sensation part is divided into three parts. Sudden pain in any part of the nerve causes disabling radiating pain is called trigeminal neuralgia.
HOW IT FEELS
An individual attack usually lasts from a few seconds to several minutes or hours, but these can repeat for hours with very short intervals between attacks. Sometimes 4–10 attacks are experienced daily. There are some trigger areas. They produce intense pain. Trigger area on the face so sensitive that touching or even air currents can trigger an episode; however, in many people, the pain is generated spontaneously without any apparent stimulation. It affects lifestyle as it can be triggered by common activities such as eating, talking, shaving and brushing teeth. The wind, chewing, and talking can aggravate the condition in many patients. The attacks are felt like electric shocks, burning, sharp, pressing, crushing, exploding or shooting pain that becomes intractable. The pain also tends to occur in cycles with remissions lasting months or even years. Pain attacks are known to worsen in frequency or severity over time, in some people. Pain may migrate to other branches over time but in some people remains very stable. The severity of the pain makes it difficult to wash the face, shave, and perform good oral hygiene. The pain has a significant impact on activities of daily living especially as those affected live in fear of when they are going to get their next attack of pain and how severe it will be. It can lead to severe depression and anxiety.
WHY IT OCCURS
Many times a blood vessel compresses the nerve. Occasionally there is a tumour compressing the nerve. Sometimes it occurs after herpes. Most of the time there is no identifiable cause. It is often confused as dental pain and patients often go on visiting dentists.
WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE IS HAVING IT!
If someone is having this type of pain, there are some options available. Visit neurologist, they will provide some medicines. If medicines dont work, there are several procedures available for it. The last stand is surgery. If it’s due to any cause like compression then outcome is good.
As it is a very irritating and debilitating disease, we need early diagnosis and treatment for better outcome. If you have shock like pain over your face then visit your neurologist, it can be cured.
Please read and share for awareness
#trigeminal
#neurology
#headache
#facial_pain
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