Inflammation of the trigeminal nerve is a rather problematic disease, as it significantly affects the sensitivity of the face and affects the vessels of the brain, causing periodic pain. It is characterized by a wide variety of changeable signs, and pain can occur in any area of the face.
The causes of the pathology are not yet fully understood, but it is worth noting that it is mainly characteristic of women over the age of 55. Often, its development occurs against the background of a decrease in the protective functions of the body, which is most often observed in old age.
Since the trigeminal nerve occupies the entire facial area, it is often quite difficult for the patient to determine exactly where the inflammation has occurred. Sharp and acute pain very often interferes with concentration, which is why an immediate consultation with a neurologist and competent treatment are required.
Features of the disease
Inflammation of the trigeminal nerve is often called neuralgia. This condition affects the area of the face where the nerve endings are located alongboth sides of it, passing near the nose, eyebrows and lower jaw.
This nerve belongs to the most sensitive part of the neurological branch, so the inflammatory process affects the entire head, spreading to the muscles of the face, and affects the affected areas for a long time. That is why pain can occur on one side or the other. Discomfort persists until pain medication is taken.
Causes of occurrence
The main causes of inflammation of the trigeminal nerve are not always known, neuralgia very often occurs as a complication of the underlying disease. Such a violation can be triggered by the normal aging process of the body. Doctors distinguish several groups of the course of the disease.
Among the causes of inflammation of the trigeminal nerve, the contact of a blood vessel and a nerve should be distinguished. Such an arrangement can create significant pressure, and repeated compression provokes the development of an erosive process that changes the conduction of nerve impulses, resulting in inflammation. In addition, there are structural causes of inflammation of the trigeminal nerve on the face, which include such as:
- blood vessel anomalies;
- dental problems;
- multiple sclerosis;
- facial injury and hypothermia;
- allergic manifestations
- tumors and cysts;
- metabolic disorder;
- complications after a herpes infection.
Spontaneous bouts of inflammation can be triggered by a variety of movements or habitual activities. Some people experience sensitivity in certain areas of the face, which can cause a painful attack when exposed. In addition, the disorder may be congenital, and this occurs as a result of the special construction of blood vessels.
Psychological factors are of great importance, in particular emotional upheavals, depression. They significantly worsen the patient's well-being, provoking an inflammatory process.
Main classification
Like many other diseases, inflammation of the trigeminal nerve is divided into several types, namely, it can be true and secondary. The true type of disease occurs as a result of compression of nerve endings or disruption of the functioning of the circulatory system. The secondary form manifests itself in the course of other diseases and disorders as complications.
It develops over a long period of time, and over time, the symptoms change significantly. However, despite this, the disease often affects only one nerve process.
Features of inflammation during pregnancy
When pregnant, women are prohibited from self-treatment of inflammation of the trigeminal nerve. After confirming the diagnosis, physiotherapy or similar procedures are prescribed.
The rest of the methods, including drug therapy, are resorted to only in extreme cases, since during this period the use of drugs is extremelyunwanted. If you can’t do without them, then doctors select the safest options for expectant mothers.
Main symptoms
Doctors highlight signs of inflammation of the trigeminal nerve, such as:
- pain;
- lacrimation;
- redness and swelling of the eyelids;
- involuntary contraction of facial muscles;
- general weakness;
- sleep problems;
- muscle spasms.
Among the main symptoms, one can also distinguish fever, headaches, facial numbness, chills. The main symptom of inflammation of the trigeminal nerve is pain. The pain is localized in the lower jaw, and then gradually spreads to the entire face, neck and eyes. Discomfort is greatly enhanced by hypothermia, talking or eating. It is worth noting that the pain cannot be eliminated with conventional painkillers.
Most of the symptoms of trigeminal inflammation have a progressive course, and if they are not eliminated in a timely manner, they may remain during therapy. This means that a person will periodically be disturbed by pain attacks, muscle tremors and facial numbness. If the therapy is not carried out correctly, very complex and dangerous complications can occur.
Diagnostics
Since the disease has severe symptoms, specialists can easily diagnose it. To determine the causes of the pathology, it is necessary to conduct a thorough diagnosis of inflammation of the trigeminal nerve, which includes:
- inspectionpatient;
- blood test;
- tomography；
- study of the nervous system;
- angiography.
All these diagnostic techniques will help to accurately determine the predisposing factor that leads to the development of an attack. Initially, you need to visit a neurologist, but with a toothache, a dentist consultation is required to correctly determine the nature of the disease.
First aid
When symptoms of inflammation of the trigeminal nerve appear, it is imperative to provide the patient with competent timely assistance. This will normalize the patient's well-being and slow down the development of the disease. First of all, drafts and hypothermia should be avoided, so it is advisable to cover your face with a scarf or handkerchief. It is also recommended to wear high collars.
During an attack, it is worth limiting the consumption of too cold or hot foods and drinks. Spicy food also has a certain effect on the course of the disease, which is why it should be abandoned. Herbal tea can help relieve pain. However, it is worth noting that such drugs have only a short-term analgesic effect.
Features of treatment
What to do with inflammation of the trigeminal nerve? Only a qualified doctor can help in this matter. That is why when the first signs appear, it is necessary to consult a specialist. Without complex treatment, the disease will begin to progress even more and go into the chronic stage.
When the acute form of the patient is sent to the hospital. Hospitalization continues until the elimination of severe pain and severe asymmetry of the face. Then the treatment of inflammation of the trigeminal nerve is carried out at home. Modern drug therapy involves a novocaine blockade, as well as the appointment of painkillers.
To eliminate puffiness, doctors prescribe corticosteroids and antispasmodics. With inflammation, glycerin injections, which are injected directly into the affected area, can be effective. In addition, the doctor will prescribe means to relax the muscles of the face.
During the recovery period, when the symptoms begin to subside somewhat, physiotherapy treatment of inflammation of the trigeminal nerve and alternative medicine are used. In particular, we are talking about such techniques as:
- electrophoresis;
- phonophoresis;
- laser application;
- acupuncture;
- acupressure;
- physiotherapy exercises.
All therapeutic measures used in combination help to normalize blood circulation, eliminate pain, swelling, asymmetry and numbness of the muscles of the face. In addition, they help improve the functioning of the nervous and immune systems.
The sooner the course of therapy is carried out, the more likely it is that the disease will be completely cured, to prevent the development of complications and the occurrence of relapses. In the most difficult cases, surgery is required.
Drug therapy
Drug treatment of inflammation of the trigeminal nerve is based on taking anti-inflammatory drugs that eliminate pain and the cause of their occurrence. Doctors often prescribe Carbamazepine. The drug has an anticonvulsant effect and lowers the activity of neurons. The course of therapy is approximately 8 weeks.
In addition, "Gabantin", nicotinic acid, "Neuromultivit" can be prescribed in the complex. If the inflammation occurred due to the penetration of bacteria or viruses, then antiviral agents or antibiotics are prescribed, in particular, such as Nimesulide or Flemoxin. A good effect is provided by the drug "Finlepsin" for inflammation of the trigeminal nerve, which is prescribed in combination with other anticonvulsant medicinal formulations.
To eliminate pain, you should take painkillers, such as Mydocalm, Nimesil, Glycine, Movalis. With severe pain, such remedies as "Ketanov", "Menovazin", which are analgesics, are required.
Also, the doctor will prescribe vitamin complexes, neuroprotectors, glucocorticoids. To eliminate swelling and pain, ointments and gels for topical application are prescribed. It can be such means as Dimexide, Ketonal.
All drugs should be used strictly according to the doctor's prescription and in accordance with the treatment regimen. An overdose can significantly aggravate the course of the disease and provoke various side effects.
Folk techniques
Can be carried out notonly drug treatment of inflammation of the trigeminal nerve, but also use folk methods. It is recommended to give preference to medicinal herbs that have anti-inflammatory, soothing and analgesic effects. Among the many plants, the most suitable are:
- motherwort;
- hop cones;
- valerian root.
Calendula, chamomile, St. John's wort have anti-inflammatory action. It is also recommended to rub fir oil into the skin, make compresses with marshmallow tincture. They have a warming effect. It is worth remembering that all home-made medicines should be used very carefully and only after consulting a doctor.
Massage
Massage for inflammation of the trigeminal nerve helps very well in the initial stages of the course of the disease or during the use of medications. A similar manipulation is carried out in a sitting position, while the patient should slightly tilt his head back on the back of the chair.
The specialist very gently acts on the affected facial areas with his fingers, massaging all adjacent muscles in a circular motion. In addition, special exercises will be very useful. They include a warm-up of the spine, neck and lumbar. This helps the patient to relax and release tension.
Dieting
With neuralgia, the patient needs to get enough vitamins and at the same time follow a certain diet, with the exceptionpossible irritants. In this case, doctors recommend eating food at room temperature only.
Don't eat spicy foods and abuse sweets. In the usual diet, you need to add foods such as:
- lean meat;
- vegetable oil;
- eggs;
- potatoes.
These products contain substances that help strengthen the immune system and prevent inflammation.
Operating
Drugs are not always able to completely eliminate inflammation of the trigeminal nerve on the face, especially if it is severe. In this case, the operation is indicated. There are two main methods of surgical intervention, namely radiofrequency and vascular decompression.
Radiofrequency exposure is less traumatic and is performed using local anesthesia. The doctor sends an electrical impulse to the inflamed area, and this leads to the elimination of the affected nerve endings.
Decompression is carried out by opening the cranial fossa. The doctor separates the nerve roots, squeezed by the vessels, and places special pads between them. Such manipulation makes it possible to prevent the possibility of squeezing the nerve endings.
If there is a recurrence of pain, the doctor selects other methods of therapeutic measures.
Alternative methods
It is important not only to know how to relieve inflammation of the trigeminal nerve, but alsohow to prolong the period of remission. A fairly good result is provided by an alternative method of therapy, which includes physiotherapy, magnetotherapy, acupuncture.
The principle of magnetic therapy is based on the supply of low-frequency magnetic pulses directed directly at the area of inflammation. This method helps to somewhat alleviate the pain and slow down the course of the inflammatory process. Physiotherapy techniques are also widely used, which include:
- diadynamic therapy;
- laser application;
- phonophoresis;
- ultraviolet and infrared radiation.
Acupuncture is one of the effective methods of treatment, which directly affects the nerve endings of the face. In this case, the doctor finds the required points on the face and puts small needles on them, fixing the time. Such a procedure helps to normalize the functioning of the nervous system and somewhat reduce the existing symptoms.
Possible consequences
Despite the fact that this disease is not deadly, late therapeutic measures can lead to quite serious complications and consequences of inflammation of the trigeminal nerve, namely:
- feeling depressed;
- constant pain；
- general weakness.
In addition, it becomes quite difficult for a person to eat food due to pain, which leads to a decrease inimmunity and the development of concomitant diseases.
Prophylaxis
To prevent the occurrence and subsequent development of the disease, it is imperative to carry out preventive measures. Recommended for this:
- normalize diet;
- avoid hypothermia;
- take daily walks;
- avoid nervous strain;
- hardening the body.
In addition, moderate physical activity is shown. Prevention helps prevent the occurrence of not only inflammation of the trigeminal nerve, but also many other diseases.
