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TRIGEMINAL
NEURALGIA “TN”,
“TNA”, “TGN”, also known as Prosopalgia, The Suicide
Disease, or Fothergill's disease is a Neuropathic disorder
characterized by episodes of intense pain in the face,
originating from the Trigeminal Nerve. It has been
described as among the most painful contacts known to
mankind.
It is estimated that 1
in 15,000 people suffer from TN, although the actual figure
may be significantly higher due to frequent misdiagnosis.
Trigeminal Neuralgia is rare. In the UK, it affects four or
five people out of every 100,000 each year. Almost
twice as many women are affected as men. The condition
becomes more common with age and is rare in people under 40
years of age. Trigeminal Neuralgia is most commonly
seen in people between 60 to 70 years of age.
The Trigeminal Nerve is
a paired cranial nerve that has three major branches: the
Ophthalmic Nerve (V1), the Maxillary Nerve (V2), and the
Mandibular nerve (V3. One, two, or all three branches
of the nerve may be affected. 10-12% of cases are bilateral
(occurring on both the left and right sides of the face).
Trigeminal Neuralgia most commonly involves the middle
branch (the Maxillary Nerve or V2) and lower branch
(Mandibular Nerve or V3) of the Trigeminal nerve, but the
pain may be felt in the ear, eye, lips, nose, scalp,
forehead, cheeks, teeth, or jaw and side of the face.
Trigeminal Neuralgia can
be split into different categories depending on the type of
pain. These are described below:
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Trigeminal Neuralgia
type 1 (TN1) is the classic form of Trigeminal
Neuralgia. The piercing and stabbing pain only happens
at certain times and is not constant. This type of
Neuralgia is known as idiopathic (when no cause can be
identified).
-
Trigeminal Neuralgia
type 2 (TN2) can be referred to as Atypical (not
typical) Trigeminal Neuralgia. Pain is more constant and
involves aching, throbbing and burning sensations.
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Symptomatic
Trigeminal Neuralgia (STN) is when pain results from an
underlying cause, such as multiple sclerosis.
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Trigeminal Neuralgia
is a chronic (long-term) condition that often gets worse
over time. There is currently no cure. However,
medication usually provides temporary relief. If
medication is not effective or causes unpleasant side
effects, surgery may be recommended.
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