The trigeminal nerve is responsible for carrying sensations from the face toward the brain – any stimulation that is felt on the face is caused by the signal carried from the face to the brain through this nerve. The trigeminal nerve is the fifth cranial nerve that holds a direct connection between the brain and the body. Each of the cranial nerves is involved with certain functions – the trigeminal nerve specifically is responsible for facial sensations. In some cases, inflammation may develop in the trigeminal nerve and result in a sudden, sharp and intense pain in the facial region. This condition is known as trigeminal neuralgia. Sometimes it is also referred to as tic douloureax.
There are numerous methods that can be utilized to treat the condition and reduce the intensity of the pain experienced by an affected patient. Unfortunately, some treatment options available for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia can become less effective over time. Bioresonance therapy has created a new opportunity for future research studies to assist with identifying less invasive options for treating the condition.
Symptoms Of Trigeminal Neuralgia
The symptoms associated with trigeminal neuralgia are usually quite self-explanatory. Patients affected by this condition tend to experience an acute pain in their face. The pain is often described as being sharp, intense, severe and stabbing. In the majority of cases, the symptoms of this condition only tend to affect a single side of the patient’s face. There are, however, rare cases where trigeminal neuralgia can cause the painful symptoms to develop on both sides of the patient’s face.
When an episode of trigeminal neuralgia occurs, a patient usually experiences the symptoms in their jawline, which then radiates to other areas of the face. There are, however, cases where the symptoms may occur in other parts of the face. An episode of this condition tend to last for a maximum of two minutes, but in most cases clear up within a few seconds after the symptoms start to appear.
Causes Of Trigeminal Neuralgia
The main cause for the development of trigeminal neuralgia is a compression that occurs in the trigeminal nerve. In the majority of cases where compression is the cause for this condition, it is due to a blood vessel causing pressure on a particular part of the trigeminal nerve. There are other causes of trigeminal neuralgia as well. Tumors can cause a compression of this nerve. In some rare cases, multiple sclerosis may also be a cause for the development of symptoms associated with the condition.
The majority of sessions related to trigeminal neuralgia are usually caused by a trigger. There are many different triggers that can cause such an episode of intense facial pain to occur, such as shaving, eating, brushing teeth, smiling, applying makeup and talking. In some patients, even a breeze that touches the face can cause intense pain when they suffer from trigeminal neuralgia.
Conventional Treatment Options
Diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia is vital prior to provide a patient with a treatment plan, since other health issues, such as dental problems, can cause similar symptoms as those associated with this condition. There are various treatment options that can be used to assist with reducing the severity of the symptoms a patient experiences. The first option is to identify what causes triggers to occur and then to try and avoid these triggers. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to avoid the triggers, such as when brushing teeth and chewing causes symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia.
Paracetamol, ibuprofen and similar over-the-counter pain medication usually do not assist with relieving the symptoms that are associated with this condition. Instead, physicians usually offer patients with trigeminal neuralgia alternative prescription medication to assist with the pain. Anticonvulsant drugs are commonly prescribed to patients with this condition. Unfortunately, these drugs can cause side-effects, such as sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, feelings of unsteadiness, double vision, allergic reactions and more.
The problem with anticonvulsant drugs is that their effectiveness often tends to wear off over time. In such a case, a physician may prescribe alternative drugs for a patient, such as lamotrigine, pregabalin, baclofen, oxcarbazepine or gabapentin. Surgery might be required in some cases.
New Hope In The Form Of Bioresonance Therapy For Trigeminal Neuralgia
The fact that drugs used to treat trigeminal neuralgia becomes less effective over time and that side-effects can be unpleasant are alarming to many patients with the condition. Fortunately, recent studies have provided a breakthrough in the future of research in regards to the treatment of Trigeminal neuralgia. Bioresonance therapy has been shown to potentially offer a non-invasive method of treating the symptoms of the condition by correcting an imbalance in electromagnetic waves that may be present in the area where the trigeminal nerve is located. While no official statements have yet been regarding the fact as to whether Bioresonance therapy should be considered as an alternative treatment option for trigeminal neuralgia, these studies have opened new opportunities for future research.
Conclusion
Trigeminal neuralgia can cause sudden and severe pain in various parts of the face. It can be caused by a number of possible contributing factors. Treatment options are available once dental issues have been ruled out as possible causes. Bioresonance therapy also offers a possible new way to target trigeminal neuralgia without placing the patient at the risk of suffering side-effects to medications used to treat the condition, and without involving any type of invasive treatment approaches.