Trigeminal neuritis is a fairly common problem that affects almost all categories of the population equally. The disease is accompanied by severe, almost unbearable pain, so a person simply needs qualified help.
Trigeminal neuritis and its causes
Neuritis refers to inflammation of the nerve fibers. There are many reasons that can lead to the development of the inflammatory process. Most often, neuritis is the result of active infection. In particular, syphilis, otitis, herpes can lead to such a disease. In some cases, the source of pathogenic microorganisms is carious teeth or damage to the tissues of the upper jaw, as well as improperly performed dental procedures (administration of anesthesia, tooth extraction, filling material coming out of the root).
Often, neuritis occurs against the background of inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, as well as suppuration of the cyst of the upper jaw. The cause of the disease can also be a severe trauma to the face. The risk factors canalso include toxic poisoning and severe hypothermia.
Trigeminal neuritis: symptoms
The main sign of inflammation are sharp, strong, burning pains that usually occur in one half of the face and cover the eyes and eyelids, wings of the nose, upper jaw, teeth. Pain can appear instantly and disappear just as quickly. Most often, seizures occur with pressure on the affected area of the face, exposure to cold, wind, or a sharp change in temperature. Soreness is exacerbated by laughing or talking, chewing, brushing teeth and other types of habitual activity.
Trigeminal neuritis is often accompanied by complete or partial paralysis of the muscles on the affected side of the face. Symptoms can also include lacrimation (most often from only one eye), increased salivation. Sometimes there is a tick (sharp contractions) of individual muscle groups of the face. Some patients complain of severe cramps in the muscle fibers that are involved in the chewing process. Along with this, there is a decrease or, conversely, an increase in the sensitivity of the skin on the face.
In any case, such a disease is dangerous and extremely unpleasant. After all, constant sharp pains, refusal to eat and other habitual things also affect the emotional state of the patient.
Trigeminal neuritis and methods of their treatment
Of course, if you experience pain, you should immediately contact a neurologist. Only the doctor knowsis trigeminal neuritis, symptoms, treatment of the disease. As a rule, first of all, the patient is selected with suitable painkillers that improve well-being and temporarily prevent the occurrence of new outbreaks of pain. Preparations containing ibuprofen and paracetamol are considered effective, as these components not only relieve pain, but also have anti-inflammatory properties.
Along with this, a complete diagnosis is carried out, which makes it possible to find out the cause of the development of the inflammatory process. If neuritis is the result of a dental infection, then the diseased tooth is either healed or removed. If the inflammation is of an infectious origin, then antibiotics or antiviral drugs are used.
Sometimes the course of therapy includes physiotherapy such as electrophoresis with novocaine or ultraphonophoresis using hydrocortisone. In the most severe cases, when conservative methods of treatment do not give any result, surgical intervention is necessary.
