Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic condition characterized by severe and recurrent pain in the face. It is often referred to as the “suicide disease” as the severe pain episodes can be so debilitating and emotionally draining that some sufferers are driven to consider ending their lives.
Trigeminal neuralgia occurs when the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensations from the face to the brain, becomes disrupted. This can be the result of a blood vessel pressing on the nerve, a tumor near the nerve, a lesion, nerve damage, or aging. In extreme cases, the cause of the condition may remain unknown.
The most common symptom of trigeminal neuralgia is an excruciating pain described as sharp, stabbing, shooting, or like an electric shock that lasts anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Pain episodes can occur spontaneously and can be triggered by facial contact such as brushing the teeth, washing your face, eating, talking, or being exposed to wind. Between episodes, sufferers can find relief but usually no complete removal of their symptoms.
Treatment options are available to reduce or control the pain of trigeminal neuralgia. These include medications to reduce pain, injections of medicines into the affected area of the face, and sometimes surgery to disconnect the nerve from the source of the pain.
Individuals diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia should be aware of the psychological implications of this condition. Living with any chronic pain can be psychologically distressing, but the effect on the sufferer may be compounded for those with this condition. Depression and anxiety are common and the process of learning to cope and manage the pain can be difficult and overwhelming. It’s important that people affected by trigeminal neuralgia reach out for help from a mental health professional.
Trigeminal neuralgia is a serious and life-altering condition, and managing it can be a daily challenge. Understanding the condition and its treatment options is essential in helping to relieve the pain and its impact on one’s life.