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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 is impacted, which transmits impulses from the face to the brain. Pain can be triggered by slight contact, such as washing your teeth or applying 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 essential 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 wider 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 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, consisting 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 is concentrated in one area. Alternatively, the discomfort might be distributed more widely.
  • Rarely pain happen 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 caused 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 caused by multiple sclerosis or a comparable disorder that weakens the myelin sheath surrounding specific nerves. The disorder may also be brought on by a tumour pressing against the trigeminal nerve.
  • Trigeminal neuralgia can be caused by a stroke or face trauma in certain patients. Trigeminal neuralgia can also result from surgical nerve damage.

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: 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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Latest Research and Technologies in the Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia in the United Arab Emirates

In the UAE, new technology in treating Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) has introduced state-of-the-art, minimally invasive therapies aimed at alleviating the debilitating facial pain caused by this condition.

One of the notable advancements is the use of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment, which is not surgical. Pain relief is achieved without surgery by applying certain electromagnetic pulses to the diseased nerve.

Trigeminal Neuralgia Prevention Tips

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

  • Avoid crunchy and hard foods and consume soft ones instead.
  • Avoid 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 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 noninvasive radiation therapy 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 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 in contact with the trigeminal nerve through a tiny hole in your skull. The surgeon between the arteries and the nerve also positions a gentle cushion.

  • 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. Reflex testing can help find out if your symptoms are due to a compressed nerve or anything else.
  • 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. A dye may occasionally be injected into a blood vessel to visualise the arteries and veins and demonstrate blood flow.

MediRehab (chain of Rehab centres - Part of MediGence) provides comprehensive rehabilitation services to support patients through Teleconsultations and online therapy sessions.

  • Nutritional Counselling: Diet plans for trigeminal neuralgia are 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 trigeminal 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 United Arab Emirates

Burjeel Medical City: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Burjeel Medical City

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The Hospital owns an International Patient Services Team that is responsible to assist international patients with world-class healthcare, transportation arrangement, accommodation facilities, language interpreters, and much more. 

Burjeel Medical City (about 1.2 million square facilities)provides 7-star hospitality to its patients. It has the largest facility space bed among all the private hospitals. The Hospital consists of-

  • Large waiting areas and consultation rooms 
  • Spacious lobbies on each floor 
  • 338 Luxurious Patient Rooms 
  • 70 Ambulatory Rooms
  • Intensive Care Units
  • The Hospital comprises various centers, under Burjeel Cancer Institute- 
  • Breast Center
  • Uro-oncology Center
  • Surface Malignancy Center (HIPC)
  • Head & Oncology Center
  • Medical Oncology & Hematology Center and others
Kings College Hospital Dubai: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Kings College Hospital Dubai

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Apart from in-detail treatment procedures available, Kings College Hospital Dubai located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates has a wide variety of facilities available for International Patients. Some of the facilities which are provided by them are Accommodation, Airport Transfer, Choice of Meals, Interpreter, SIM, TV inside room. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:

  • 100 beds in the Hospital
  • Operation Theatres
  • Special Intensive Care Units
  • 24*7 Emergency Department
  • Covid-19 Treatment Clinic
  • Wound & Stoma care center
  • Doctor on call (Telemedicine) is also available
Thumbay University Hospital, Ajman: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Thumbay University Hospital, Ajman

Ajman, United Arab Emirates

Thumbay University Hospital, Ajman located in Ajman, United Arab Emirates is accredited by JCI. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:

  • The hospital has a 250 bed capacity.
  • Excellent quality of healthcare facilities and services at par with developed countries.
  • Multilingual and multinational healthcare professionals working in the Thumbay Hospital Ajman (belonging to 20 nations and fluent in 50 plus languages).
  • Equipped with the newest facilities to ensure highest standards of healthcare delivery to patients at economical costs.
  • Dedicated, compassionate and highly educated healthcare professionals work in Thumbay Hospital Ajman.
  • Well developed diagnostic facilities are also available.
  • A 24/7 functioning emergency care department and advanced facilities in Radiology.
  • There is presence of an ultramodern Catheterization Lab (Cath Lab) and Electrosurgery Cryotherapy in dermatology, Interlocking intramedullary nailing.
  • Also available under dental departments Panoramic, digital intra-oral X-rays, Cephalogram are present.
  • Some of the important specialties in Thumbay Hospital Ajman are:
    • Ear, nose, and throat
    • Cardiovascular
    • Bariatric surgery
    • General surgery
    • Urology
    • Nephrology

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Why Choose the United Arab Emirates for Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment?

Here are some of the reasons for choosing the United Arab Emirates:

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Trigeminal neuralgia may start as 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 the United Arab Emirates, 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 United Arab Emirates 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 neurologists, surgeons and therapists performing Gamma Knife Radiation therapy to treat Trigeminal Neuralgia.
  • Comprehensive post-surgery care and rehabilitation for long-term health benefits

Always consider the following factors when selecting United Arab Emirates hospitals:

  • Hospitals that are accredited (authorised by JCI).
  • 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 proper care.

It can be challenging to live with trigeminal neuralgia. The disease may impact your relationships with friends and family, your level of productivity at work, and your general quality of life.