The diagnosis of "trigeminal neuralgia" is very common in medical practice. If you believe the statistics, it is found in every two hundredth person who goes to the hospital for medical care. This pathology develops as a result of damage to the nerve fibers located in the face and head. It is accompanied by intense and pronounced symptoms. Patients complain of severe pain and migraines, which often do not help even painkillers.
The main problem is that the disease is difficult to treat even in the early stages of development. To achieve a positive result, complex therapy is required, which includes taking medications, therapeutic exercises, and in some cases, surgical intervention. But even in this case, complete recovery can not always be achieved. Some characteristic manifestations remain with a person until the end of life, which causes him certaininconvenience. Let's take a closer look at what trigeminal neuralgia is, how to treat it, and what predictions doctors make about their patients who come to them with this problem.
General information
Before we talk about how to treat trigeminal neuralgia, let's first understand what is behind this term. According to many qualified specialists, in most cases the disease is chronic and has a pronounced clinical picture. The main symptom is severe pain and burning in the affected area. Symptoms vary in intensity and duration, but usually appear on one side of the face. The patient's condition can be aggravated in the presence of concomitant chronic diseases of various origins, for example, autoimmune disorders, malignant tumors, and many others. Therefore, before prescribing any treatment, the doctor must conduct a comprehensive examination of the patient in order to make an accurate diagnosis, as well as draw up a detailed picture of his state of he alth.
Classification
Let's take a closer look at this. Many people are interested in the question of how to treat facial trigeminal neuralgia. However, it is impossible to answer it unambiguously, since everything here depends on many factors. The therapy program is selected separately for each patient, taking into account his individual characteristics and some other factors. At the same time, a largethe role played by the type of pathology. She can be:
- Primary - develops as a separate disease as a result of compression of nerve fibers or disruption of normal blood circulation.
- Secondary - is a complication caused by other pathologies, such as tumor processes and diseases of infectious etiology, occurring in severe form.
The most difficult is secondary trigeminal neuralgia. It is very difficult to say how to treat it, since one of the key factors in successful therapy is to identify the reason why a person has a pathology. If it is not eliminated, then no effect will be achieved. You also need to take into account the form, stage and severity of the disease. The sooner the patient went to the hospital for help, the greater the chance of a full recovery. Therefore, when the first suspicions of a pathology arise, you should immediately make an appointment with a doctor.
Reasons
This aspect should be given special attention. Unfortunately, to date, doctors have not been able to fully figure out why the disease we are considering develops. Trigeminal neuralgia belongs to the group of idiopathic pathologies associated with vegetative-vascular disorders of central origin. In addition, the fact remains unknown why the disease is much more often encountered by the stronger sex. However, there are a number of factors that increase the risk of developing trigeminal neuralgia. Among the main ones are the following:
- physical injury orpost-traumatic scars left after them;
- temporomandibular joint injury;
- malignant tumors;
- adhesions of connective tissue formed as a result of past infectious diseases, accompanied by inflammatory damage to nerves or their processes;
- expansion of blood vessels;
- congenital malformations;
- increased intracranial pressure, which develops as a result of degenerative-dystrophic lesions of the intervertebral discs of the cervical region;
- hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes;
- violation of protein and lipid metabolism;
- negative reaction of the body to anesthesia during dental treatment;
- maxillofacial injuries;
- odontogenic periostitis;
- complications after filling and tooth extraction;
- autoimmune diseases;
- CP;
- viral or tuberculous inflammation of the brain;
- epilepsy;
- impaired circulation of nerve fibers in the affected area;
- brain cancer;
- encephalopathy;
- head injury;
- avitaminosis;
- oxygen starvation;
- various CNS disorders;
- AIDS;
- herpetic infection;
- Spinal Palsy.
To answer the question of how to treat trigeminal neuralgia, you must first establish the exact cause behind it. All problems require an individual solution, so the therapy program for each patient will be different.
Symptomatics
Let's take a closer look at this. According to experts, people treat trigeminal neuralgia (where to treat this pathology - will be discussed later in this article) very late. Most citizens confuse the disease with the usual migraine, which is often the result of hypothermia. But the pathology progresses rapidly, therefore, in the later stages, therapy is difficult. At the same time, neuralgia of the face and head is almost always accompanied by intense and pronounced symptoms, which are divided into the following groups: reflex, vegetative-trophic and motor disorders, as well as pain syndrome.
The last sign comes first. The patient experiences severe, burning and sharp pain in the affected area, which can last from 2-4 seconds to several minutes. At the same time, it rolls suddenly, so it is difficult for a person to control himself. Pain in trigeminal neuralgia (folk treatment can also be effective, like modern medications in combination with other modern therapies, but more on that later) can be localized in the following departments:
- chin;
- lower neck and lips;
- jaw;
- back of the head,
- neck;
- lower eyelids, maxillary sinus;
- forehead;
- nose bridge.
Also observed:
- muscle cramps;
- various anatomical changes;
- runny nose;
- increased salivation;
- change in complexion;
- loss of eyelashes in some cases;
- facial swelling;
- increased dryness or greasiness of the epidermis.
Everyone should have a detailed understanding of how to treat trigeminal neuralgia, because if no action is taken, the disease will continue to develop. The following clinical manifestations are a serious cause for concern:
- pain extends completely to one half of the face;
- on palpation it becomes more intense and pronounced;
- memories of pain syndrome can provoke a paroxysm;
- pain becomes chronic;
- vegetative-trophic disorders are increasing.
If no steps are taken, then over time, the patient develops a focus of pathological activity of the visual tubercles, resulting in the development of trigeminal neuralgia of the eye. In this case, the effectiveness of treatment is significantly reduced, and the chances of a full recovery become almost zero.
As medical statistics show, most often the disease develops in men of middle and advanced age. In most cases, secondary trigeminal neuralgia is diagnosed. How to treat this pathology will be described in detail later in this article. It can develop on either side of the face, but in about 70 percent of cases, damage to the nerve fibers and the formation of a focus is observed on the right. Bilateral trigeminal neuralgia is verya rare disease that occurs in medical practice only in isolated cases. Relapses, as a rule, make themselves felt in the spring-autumn period, after which remission sets in.
Who should I contact?
Very common is the question of where to treat trigeminal neuralgia. There is no fundamental difference. With this disease, you can contact both public hospitals and private clinics. The first thing you should do is make an appointment with a therapist. He will conduct an initial examination, after which he will refer you to a neurologist, who will prescribe the laboratory tests necessary to make an accurate diagnosis and draw up a suitable treatment program.
If there are associated problems that require more detailed information, consultation with an otorhinolaryngologist and dentist may also be required. The opinion of these doctors is necessary in order to exclude the possibility of any diseases occurring in a chronic form and associated with neuralgic pathologies. If a malignant tumor is suspected, an examination by an oncologist is mandatory.
Diagnosis
So, what is it and what is its peculiarity? If you suspect that you have a disease, you should immediately contact the clinic. Trigeminal neuralgia requires complex treatment. Patients are prescribed painkillers, but they only temporarily improve the patient's well-being. To achieve a positive result, it is necessary to eliminate the cause behindpathology. If this is not done, then gradually the symptoms will become more pronounced, and the patient's condition will worsen. To select the most suitable therapy program, doctors need to obtain as much data about the disease as possible. To this end, they prescribe various laboratory tests to patients.
Among the most accurate and informative are the following:
- Dental examination. Very often, the pathology is caused by problems with the he alth of the oral cavity. Poor-quality filling, the installation of unsuitable prostheses, a poorly performed removal operation, and many other factors can trigger the development of the disease. This research method is necessary so that the doctor can find the most optimal option, but in any case, it is necessary to treat teeth with trigeminal neuralgia.
- Blood test. It is necessary in order to confirm or refute the presence of diseases of viral etiology.
- Magnetic resonance imaging. With its help, doctors can study the structure and assess the condition of the nerves, as well as identify many pathologies of various origins in the patient in the early stages.
- Electroneuromyography. Designed to assess the state of nerve fibers and study the characteristics of the passage of impulses through them.
- Panoramic x-ray examination of the head. Shows growths that can compress nerves.
Also mandatory is a consultation with a neurologist. This specialist, based on the symptoms, history and clinical picture of the patient, determines whetherwhat types of studies are needed and also decides how to treat trigeminal neuralgia of the face. If the doctor begins to have any doubts or needs more information, he can refer the patient to an appointment with other specialists.
Conservative Therapy
Let's take a closer look at this aspect. As soon as the presence of the disease is confirmed, the doctor selects the most effective treatment for the patient. The first thing you need for trigeminal neuralgia is to anesthetize the affected areas. But if you do not eliminate the cause behind the disease, then no result will be achieved. Therefore, in most cases, complex therapy is carried out, aimed at eliminating symptoms and combating underlying diseases.
Many people are interested in the question of how to treat trigeminal neuralgia. What kind of medications will be used - the doctor decides. Today, there are many different drugs on sale that are highly effective in combating this pathology, but Carbamazepine is considered one of the best. It contributes to the inhibition of the passage of impulses along the nerve fibers, causing the onset of pain. Dosage and duration of administration is calculated for each patient individually. But it should be noted right away that this disease requires long-term treatment, so you can not count on a quick recovery.
It is important to consider that the compositionthe drug includes potent substances, so its long-term use can lead to intoxication. Side effects include the following:
- sleep disorder;
- memory deterioration;
- various mental disorders.
"Carbamazepine" is prohibited for pregnant women, as it can cause fetal intoxication and lead to miscarriage. In addition, it should not be used by people with certain eye pathologies, heart blocks and various blood diseases. While taking these pills with trigeminal neuralgia, you should refrain from eating grapefruits, since these fruits increase the risk of side effects. To increase the effectiveness of therapy, Carbamazepine is often prescribed together with Pipolfen.
Conservative therapy involves taking the following types of medicines:
- anticonvulsants: Baclofen, Phenibut;
- antibiotics: Gerpevir, Ceftriaxone;
- psychotropic: Diazepam;
- antipsychotic: Pimozide;
- antidepressants: Amitriptyline;
- venotonics: Trental, Vitamin PP;
- anti-inflammatory: Milgama, Neurodiclovit;
- analgesics;
- vitamin complexes.
Drug treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, which you can read about later, is often combined with physiotherapy. It allows you to increase the effect of any medicines and speed up the healing process. In most cases, patients are prescribed the following procedures:
- ultrasound;
- laser therapy;
- electrophoresis;
- acupuncture;
- auricolotherapy;
- phonophoresis;
- magnetotherapy;
- radiotherapy.
With neuritis and trigeminal neuralgia, drug treatment is selected for each patient separately, depending on many factors. At the same time, throughout the course of therapy, doctors continuously monitor the dynamics of its implementation and, if necessary, make appropriate adjustments. If a positive result is not achieved and the patient's condition does not change for the better, then surgery may be required. However, it does not give a 100% guarantee for a full recovery.
Surgery
In modern medicine, radical methods of treatment are resorted to only in emergency situations, when there is simply no other way out. One of these is trigeminal neuralgia of the ear or eyes. Also, the operation is considered one of the best options in the following cases:
- In case of pathological changes in the arteries and capillaries, microvascular decompression is performed, during which the division of the blood vessel is carried out. This technique is highly effective, but is associated with a high injury rate.
- If the disease has developed due to compression of neurons, then transcutaneous balloon compression is prescribed. During the operation, a special device is inserted through the catheter to the site of the lesion and the problem is eliminated.
- An alternative to the above method is percutaneous trigeminal rhizotomy. Its essence lies in the fact that the neoplasm is removed under the influence of an electric current.
- An operation using ionizing radiation is performed to remove the damaged nerve. This method combines high efficiency and safety.
- In the early stages of the course of the disease, when it has not yet had time to develop into a severe form, nerve fibers can be removed using glycerin injections.
- If a patient has a cancerous tumor, its removal comes to the fore.
- In some cases, the destruction of the roots is carried out under the influence of high temperature.
Many are wondering how to treat teeth with trigeminal neuralgia. What methods will be used - the dentist decides, but in most cases the therapy program is practically no different from the similar one prescribed for other forms of the disease. It combines the use of medications and surgical methods. According to doctors, if the operation is performed in the early stages of the course of the disease, then the chances of a full recovery are quite high. But it must be borne in mind that the symptoms do not disappear immediately. The duration of rehabilitation depends on the form and severity of the pathology, the extent of the lesion and the technique used.
Gymnastic exercises
Can trigeminal neuralgia be cured at home? This question worries every person who has been diagnosed with this. WithoutWith the help of a qualified specialist, it will not be possible to defeat the disease on your own, since very often you need to take medications, which only a doctor can pick up. For example, if the damage to the nerve fibers is caused by any pathogens, then a course of antibiotics is a prerequisite. But it is quite possible to increase the effectiveness of treatment and speed up the healing process. This can be done with the help of special gymnastic exercises. They contribute:
- normalization of blood circulation;
- improve lymph outflow;
- better conduction of nerve impulses through neurons;
- reducing the risk of developing stagnant processes in the muscles.
Gymnastics is best done in front of a mirror. The following exercises are recommended for implementation:
- tilts and head rotations;
- neck stretching;
- exercise "Smile";
- pulling in and puffing out the cheeks;
- blinking with intense eyelid tension;
- raising the eyebrows up.
Each exercise is performed daily 6-8 times. The longer the sessions are, the better the result will be achieved.
Alternative medicine
Is it possible to treat trigeminal neuralgia with folk remedies? People have struggled with this disease for many centuries, so there are several effective methods.
In order to reduce pain, you can apply cotton swabs to the affected area of \u200b\u200bthe face,soaked in fir oil. The procedure is carried out from 2 to 6 times a day, depending on the intensity of the symptoms. After it, redness and swelling will be observed on the skin. This is a normal reaction, so don't worry. However, be careful not to rub the oil too hard as it can cause burns.
An alternative remedy for pain is an herbal infusion made from chamomile and marshmallow. Both plants are infused separately during the day. Chamomile decoction is used to rinse the mouth, and Althea infusion is used for compresses.
With neuralgia, warming up also helps well. A glass of buckwheat is poured into the pan, heated, then poured into a bag or piece of cloth and applied to the affected area of the body. The procedure is recommended to be carried out three times a day until the symptoms disappear completely.
It is worth noting that trigeminal neuralgia is a serious pathology in which self-medication can significantly aggravate the situation. Therefore, before proceeding with the use of traditional medicine methods, it is recommended to consult a doctor and agree on all issues. According to experts, folk recipes should act as additional methods of therapy.
Prevention
Above, it was described in detail how to treat trigeminal neuralgia. It was previously mentioned that this disease is difficult to treat and cannot always be completely defeated. Therefore, doctors advise adhering to some rules that will reduce the risk of its development. Herethe most important of them:
- eat right;
- do vitamin therapy periodically;
- try not to overcool;
- to undergo regular check-ups at the dentist;
- if you suspect any infectious diseases, immediately go to the hospital.
These preventive measures are very simple to follow, but they will help to avoid very serious he alth problems.
Trigeminal neuralgia treatment reviews
People who have encountered this disease claim that in the early stages it can be completely defeated. In a neglected form, there is a high risk of developing complications, which will no longer be eliminated. Therefore, it is very important to consult a doctor in time and start treatment as soon as possible. Someone claims that neither drugs, nor injections, nor acupuncture, nor exercise therapy helped - only after the operation, people, according to them, were able to live, and not exist.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that neuralgic pathologies are very serious, nevertheless, they do not pose an immediate threat to life. However, such diseases deal a severe blow to a person's mental he alth and bring a lot of inconvenience to his daily life. Due to constant pain, the patient may develop depression. He becomes more withdrawn and alienated from the outside world, which, in turn, can lead to various mental disorders. Therefore, when the first symptoms appear, it is better not to hesitate, but immediatelysee a doctor.
