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What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Trigeminal neuralgia is a disorder that causes one side of the face to hurt like an electric shock. The trigeminal nerve, which transmits impulses from the face to the brain, is impacted. Pain can be triggered by even slight contact, such as when you wash your teeth or apply makeup. Trigeminal neuralgia may persist for a long time. It is referred to as a chronic pain disorder.

What is the Importance of Timely Treatment?

Timely treatment is important because Trigeminal neuralgia might become more difficult to manage later on if left untreated since it can cause more frequent and severe pain attacks with shorter pain-free intervals in between. Significant psychological suffering, such as worry and depression, can result from the excruciating pain of trigeminal neuralgia, and treatment delays may make the condition worse. While advanced cases may require more intrusive operations like surgery, early detection opens up a larger choice of treatment options, including medication management, which may be enough in the early stages.

What are the symptoms of Trigeminal Neuralgia

One or more of the following patterns may be present in symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia:

  • Episodes of sharp pain, often like an electric shock, that shoot or jab
  • Pain that comes on suddenly or that is brought on by speaking, chewing, brushing your teeth, or touching your face
  • Pain episodes that range in duration from a few seconds to a few minutes.
    Discomfort brought on by facial spasms
  • Pain episodes can linger for several days, weeks, months, or more. There are times when some people don't feel any pain
  • Discomfort in regions that the trigeminal nerve supplies; these regions consist of the lips, gums, teeth, cheek, and jaw. The forehead and eye may be impacted less frequently
  • One side of the face is hurting at a time
  • Pain concentrated in one area. Alternatively, the discomfort might be distributed more widely
  • Rarely, pain happens when you're asleep
  • Pain episodes that increase in frequency and severity over time.

Causes and Risk Factors of Tethered Trigeminal Neuralgia

Causes

  • In Trigeminal Neuralgia, the pain is frequently brought on by contact between a blood vessel and the trigeminal nerve at the base of the brain. The blood vessel could be a vein or an artery. The nerve is compressed by this touch, impairing its normal function
  • Although blood vessel compression is a frequent cause, there are numerous additional possible reasons. Trigeminal neuralgia can be brought on by multiple sclerosis or a comparable disorder that weakens the myelin sheath that surrounds certain nerves. The disorder may also be brought on by a tumour pressing against the trigeminal nerve
  • Trigeminal neuralgia can be brought on by a stroke or face trauma in certain patients. Trigeminal neuralgia can also result from a surgical nerve damage.

Triggers Trigeminal neuralgia pain can be triggered by a number of factors, such as:

  • Shaving
  • Putting a hand to your face
  • Eating
  • Consuming alcohol
  • Cleaning your teeth
  • Speaking
  • Applying cosmetics
  • Your face is being blown by a slight breeze
  • Grinning
  • Cleaning your face.

Risk Factors

According to research, the following factors increase a person's likelihood of developing trigeminal neuralgia:

  • Gender: Trigeminal neuralgia is more common in women than in men
  • Age: People over 50 are more likely to experience trigeminal neuralgia
  • Specific Circumstances: For instance, one risk factor for trigeminal neuralgia is high blood pressure. Additionally, trigeminal neuralgia is more common in patients with multiple sclerosis.

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Trigeminal Neuralgia Prevention Tips

Although there is no way to avoid trigeminal neuralgia, you can avoid excruciating attacks by:

  • Avoiding crunchy and hard foods and consuming soft ones instead
  • Avoiding beverages that are too hot or cold
  • Using cotton pads to wipe and lukewarm water to wash the face
  • Steer clear of using a mobile phone for extended periods of time as it can heat up and emit Radiation, which can exacerbate pain
  • Avoiding or reducing recognised triggers.

Treatment options for Trigeminal Neuralgia

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery: This is a type of noninvasive radiation therapy that uses computer-guided planning to treat conditions and tumours of the brain and upper spine. The Gamma Knife delivers beams of highly focused energy to a specific treatment area, minimising harm to the surrounding tissue. Despite its name, this procedure is not a surgery and does not involve any knives. Gamma Knife surgery is a type of stereotactic radiosurgery, also known as Gamma Knife radiosurgery and Gamma Knife radiation.


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Microvascular Compression: To prevent the trigeminal nerve from malfunctioning, this technique entails repositioning or excising blood veins that come into contact with it. On the side of your ear where you experience pain, an incision is made. Your surgeon will then move any arteries that are in contact with the trigeminal nerve through a tiny hole in your skull. A gentle cushion is also positioned by the surgeon between the arteries and the nerve

  • A neurological examination. You can pinpoint the precise location of the pain by touching and studying different areas of your face. The examination might assist in determining which trigeminal nerve branches may be impacted if you seem to have trigeminal neuralgia. To find out if your symptoms are due to a compressed nerve or anything else, reflex testing can be helpful
  • MRI: To check for potential causes of trigeminal neuralgia, you might require an MRI. Signs of a tumour or multiple sclerosis may be seen on an MRI. In order to visualise the arteries and veins and demonstrate blood flow, a dye may occasionally be injected into a blood vessel.

MediRehab (chain of Rehab center - part of MediGence provides comprehensive rehabilitation services designed to support arthritis patients in <India>. These services include:

  • Nutritional Counseling: Diet plans for trigeminal neuralgia is presumably a diet reduced in saturated fat
  • Therapy Plans: Electrical Stimulation (TENS) is the most popular and successful technique in the effective physiotherapy treatment of trigemTN patients
  • Rehabilitation post-Surgery: physiotherapy sessions focused on restoring function and strength
  • Depending on the situation, your healthcare professional may prescribe medicine to help control your symptoms and support the treatment plan.

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Hospitals for Trigeminal Neuralgia in India

Sterling Wockhardt Hospital: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Sterling Wockhardt Hospital

Mumbai, India

Sterling Wockhardt Hospital located in Mumbai, India is accredited by NABH. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:

  • The bed capacity of Sterling Wockhardt Hospital is 50.
  • Critical care and complex cases resolution is done with excellent results.
  • Emergency departments with 3 beds capacity and Intensive Care Unit with 10 beds capacity.
  • The healthcare delivery focus of the hospital is both on prevention as well curing the conditions.
  • Diagnostics are well developed with the latest technological developments.
  • Pharmacy, operating rooms, lab services are at par with the best in the country.
  • 24/7 ambulance services to cover healthcare requirements in Panvel and Vashi.
  • Accommodation, airport transfers, flight bookings and translation services are all available for international patients.
Venkateshwar Hospital: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Venkateshwar Hospital

Delhi, India

Venkateshwar Hospital located in New Delhi, India is accredited by NABH. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:

  • The hospital has the latest healthcare facilities and world class infrastructure.
  • It has a 325 bed capacity and 100 beds for critical care.
  • There are as many as 10 operation theatres.
  • The Intensive Care Unit and blood bank is also present within the hospital.
  • There is complete support for international patients with facilities such as transfers, assistance for visa and accommodation, translators and insurance related assistance.
  • Some of the departments in which medical services are available are Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Orthopedics, Gynecology, Cardiology, Neurology and Oncology.
  • The hospital also provides treatment for infertility, weight loss and has physiotherapy and pain management services.
Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj

Delhi, India

Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj, a 400+ bed NABH-accredited facility under Balaji Medical and Diagnostic Research Centre, offers world-class care across 33+ specialties, including Cardiac Sciences, Oncology, Neurosciences, Orthopaedics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and Kidney Transplant. With 116 ICU beds, 14 HDU beds, 11 modular OTs, and an NABL-accredited Max Lab, the hospital ensures advanced, quality-driven care. Staffed by 510+ expert doctors and 770+ nurses, it’s India’s first AACI-accredited super speciality hospital and North & West India’s first QAI-accredited Advanced Brain Stroke Centre. Max Patparganj is a regional leader in complex surgeries, blending cutting-edge technology with compassionate, patient-centric healthcare.

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Why Choose India for Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment?

Here are some of the reasons for choosing India:

  • Due to advancements in medical facilities, such as minimally invasive surgical techniques and Gamma Radio Frequency.
  • World-class experts include highly experienced doctors, JCI, and NABH-accredited healthcare institutions.
  • Compared to other countries, treatment in Indian hospitals is cost-effective.
  • Indian hospitals provide international patient services, including a multilingual support system.
  • Improved treatment methods and biological therapies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Trigeminal neuralgia may start out moderate and brief, but if treatment is not received, it may gradually get worse. Treatments exist to lessen the incapacitating pain, even if trigeminal neuralgia is not always curable. Anticonvulsive drugs are typically the initial line of treatment.

In India, treatment for trigeminal neuralgia is thought to be generally successful, with the majority of patients reporting notable pain alleviation from pharmaceutical management, especially with first-line medications like carbamazepine and, where required, Gamma Knife Radiation Therapy.

Yes, many Indian hospitals offer the following for Trigeminal Neuralgia treatment:

  • Advanced diagnostic tools like MRI, CT scan, electromyography, and PET scan for accurate diagnoses of Trigeminal Neuralgia.
  • Skilled neurologist, surgeons and therapist performing Gamma Knife Radiation therapy to treat Trigeminal Neuralgia.
  • Comprehensive post-surgery care and rehabilitation for long-term health benefit

Always consider the following factors when selecting Indian hospitals:

  • Hospitals that are accredited (authorised by JCI and NABH).
  • Patient reviews and success rates.
  • Hospitals that provide seamless care to patients from abroad.

Although living with trigeminal neuralgia can be challenging, most individuals can find relief with the right care.

It can be challenging to live with trigeminal neuralgia. Your relationships with friends and family, your level of productivity at work, and your general quality of life may all be impacted by the disease.