GET THE FACTS ON TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA
WE ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS LITTLE-KNOWN CONDITION
Aussies were shocked when beloved Studio 10 star Denise Drysdale was rushed to hospital last year with trigeminal neuralgia. A rare nerve disorder that affects the face, it can cause excruciating pain when performing simple actions like talking and chewing.
Since then, Denise has been responding well to intensive acupuncture. But her traumatic experience has shed light on this condition.
“Trigeminal neuralgia is quite rare, affecting roughly five in every 100,000 people and is more common in women than men,” says GP Dr Andrew Thompson. “It usually presents after 50, [but] can appear much earlier.”
WHAT IS TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA?
“Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition that
affects the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for sensation in the face, branching to the forehead, cheek and lower jaw,” Dr Thompson says.
WHAT CAUSES IT?
“Trigeminal neuralgia can be associated with a variety of conditions, including abnormalities in blood vessels around the nerve or more rarely from compression from tumours,” explains Dr Thompson. “It can also occur after trauma to the nerve or as a post-surgical complication.”
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
“Symptoms include episodes of severe pain in the face [and] shooting sensations that may feel like an electrical shock,” says Dr Thompson. “These episodes may be triggered by normal activities such as applying makeup, brushing teeth, drinking, talking and even the wind. Episodes may last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. In some cases, patients may experience a more constant burning sensation.”
WHO IS AT RISK?
“High blood pressure, [being] female, a history of plaque build-up in your blood vessels and a family history of trigeminal neuralgia are all risk factors,” Dr Thompson explains.
DOES IT GO AWAY?
“Trigeminal neuralgia can improve with treatment,” says Dr Thompson. “Often patients will become pain free for long stretches of time with intermittent recurrences. Some unfortunately do not respond well to treatment.”
WHAT CAN I DO?
Dr Thompson says it’s important to arrange a face-to-face consultation with your GP or specialist. “There are various medications used to treat the condition depending on the suspected cause,” he says. “Surgery is sometimes indicated. Your doctor will likely order some investigations to determine the best treatment approach for you.”
• Dr Andrew Thompson is a doctor for Instantscripts.