Trigeminal Neuralgia

Excerpts from the entry on Trigeminal Neuralgia in Relieving Pain Naturally by Dr. Sylvia Goldfarb and Roberta W. Waddell. For full entries on all 37 conditions and 27 treatments, order the book.

Trigeminal Neuralgia, also known as tic douloureux, is a malfunction of the facial trigeminal nerve that causes severe pain on one side of the face. One of the largest nerves in the cranium, it is the fifth of twelve that lead from the brain to the head. It sends impulses of pain, pressure, touch, and temperature to the brain from the forehead, gums, and jaw areas, and has three branches, any one of which can be affected. If the neuralgia is in the first branch, pain occurs around the eyes and over the forehead. Neuralgia in the second branch causes pain in the cheek, nose, and upper lip, and in the third branch, pain will be on the side of the tongue and the lower lip. More women than men are affected by trigeminal neuralgia, and it seldom strikes anyone under fifty. Some with trigeminal neuralgia live in fear of initiating an attack merely by brushing their teeth, chewing and swallowing, applying makeup, or shaving. Most of those with trigeminal neuralgia try to avoid touching their faces or mouths. The pain is excruciating, but the condition is not fatal.

Also in this entry:

• Symptoms
• Common Causes
• Diagnosing the Problem
• Conventional Treatments
• Problems with Some Conventional Treatments
• Self-Help Alternative Treatments
• Assisted Alternative Treatments

See below for full list of all conditions and treatments in the book. Or, download a complete Condition entry or Treatment entry for free.