Trigeminal Neuralgia: An Overview of Diagnosis and its Management

Abstract

According to IHS (International Headache Society) “unilateral disorder characterized by brief electric shock – like abrupt in onset and termination, limited to the distribution of one or more trigeminal nerve”.  According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) it notes that trigeminal neuralgia is twice as common in women than in men. Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) occurs when a person is more than 50 years of age. It’s reported that 150000 people are diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia every year. According to Wikipedia the frequency of Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is 1 in 8000 people per year. Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) cause is unknown but it’s believed to have a loosening of myelin sheath of trigeminal nerve, compression from a blood vessel might loss a myelin sheet. Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a type of a nerve pain. Pain is experienced even doing simple day to day activities like brushing, drinking, talking, shaving, wind blow, touching mouth Currently medication and surgery are the options available for the treatment. Commonly used drugs are carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine in initial treatment. Nearly 90% of people have found it effective by initial drug treatment.  In some case drug withdrawal is the side effect. Patient experiencing trigeminal nerve Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) should keep away from vitamin B and foods, liquids containing vit. B. Stress worsens Trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Maintaining healthy lifestyle including mindfulness, meditation, yoga, regular sleep, aromatherapy, acupuncture and mental health support.