Causes
The
pain of trigeminal neuralgia is due to a disturbance in the function of
the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from your face to your
brain.
The
cause of the pain is often unknown. But, the pain may occur when a blood
vessel comes in contact with the trigeminal nerve. This places pressure
on the main part of the nerve as it enters your brain. After it leaves
your brain and travels inside your skull, the trigeminal nerve divides
into three smaller branches, controlling sensation throughout your face:
-
The
first branch controls sensation in your eyes, upper eyelids and
forehead.
-
The
second branch controls sensation in your lower eyelids, cheeks,
nostrils, upper lips and gums.
-
The
third branch controls sensation in the jaw, lower lips, gums and
some of the muscles you use for chewing.
The three
branches of the trigeminal nerve deliver sensory stimuli to the brain
from the face, teeth and tongue....
You
may feel pain in just one area served by a branch of the trigeminal
nerve, or the pain may spread to the rest of your face.
Besides pressure by a blood vessel, other less frequent sources of pain
to the trigeminal nerve may include:
A
variety of triggers, many subtle, may set off the pain. These triggers
may include:
-
Shaving
-
Stroking your face
-
Eating
-
Drinking a hot or cold liquid
-
Brushing your teeth
-
Talking
-
Putting on makeup
-
Encountering a slight breeze
-
Walking into an air-conditioned room
When to seek medical advice
Some
people mistake the pain of trigeminal neuralgia for a toothache or a
headache. It's not uncommon for people to believe that their facial pain
is dental-related, particularly when the pain seems to stem from the gum
or is located near a tooth. It's also possible for the brain to
interpret the facial pain of trigeminal neuralgia as related to a headache.
If
you experience facial pain, particularly prolonged pain or pain that
hasn't gone away with use of over-the-counter pain relievers, see your
dentist or doctor.
