Manage Trigeminal Neurolagia: Path to Pain Relief

**Admin How to Treat Trigeminal Neuralgia: Journey to Pain-Free Life**

Trigeminal neuralgia affects the trigeminal nerve, one of the largest nerves in the head that provides sensation to most of face. This disease, sometimes referred to as one of the most painful maladies in existence, is potentially devastating for a persons quality of life. Treatment of trigeminal neuralgia is a combination approach including medications, surgery, and lifestyle modifications.

**Getting to Grips with Trigeminal Neuralgia**

Trigeminal neuralgia or tic douloureux which presents as rapid shooting pain on one side of the face for a short period. Pain can be restrained everyday movements or activity such as eating, talking and even touching face. This is a condition where the trigeminal nerve is compressed, and it may be due to blood vessels compressing on top of this or less commonly and tumor pressing against one side or in the case multiple sclerosis.

**Initial Management Strategies**

1. Medication: Medication forms the cornerstone in disease management of trigeminal neuralgia. In many cases, stabilizing the activity of nerves and decreasing pain is achieved with anticonvulsants (like carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine). These drugs work to reduce the abnormal electrical impulses responsible for pain perception. Other drugs that are used to manage symptoms include gabapentin and pregabalin, but these drugs are usually only considered when initial treatments have not worked or they result in a poor tolerance.

2. Pain Relievers and Adjunctive Therapies: Anticonvulsants (Table 5) are efficacious in CIPN, pain relief may be augmented by tricyclic antidepressant such amitriptyline which can work to alter the pathways of pain providing nerve-pain control. A variety of topical treatments and nerve blocks may be used that do offer some temporary relief for the originating (painful) area.

Advanced Interventions

1. More invasive procedures : When medications are not enough, or when the side effects of medications become too troubling.

· For Patients Not Responding to Medication: Surgical interventions may be recommended for those patients who do not respond to medication. Surgery is the most common way to treat it.

· Microvascular decompres The goal of MVD is to relieve the pressure on the nerve so that it stops sending pain signals, or at least sends fewer. Of the long-term weight loss procedures, it is considered to have one of best success rates and also requires the most intensive pre-operative work-up — both medically and psychologically –and potential risks.

· Gamma Knife Radiosurgery: In this procedure, which has no incision and does not require hospital admission; high-energy beams of radiation are directed onto the trigeminal nerve to damage it so that pain signals can't pass through. It is typically employed following ineffective alternative treatments or when surgery cannot be performed. Though it works for most of our patients, It can also take a few weeks to even months prior maximal pain relief may be obtained.

· Percutaneous, perineural techniques: Such as balloon compression or radiofrequency rhizotomy that kills nerve fibers to disrupt passage of pain impulses. It provides temporary relief and can be utilized when patient is not fit for surgical treatment.

2. Nerve Stimulation: Techniques of neuromodulation such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or peripheral nerve stimulation, may be evaluated. The idea of these interventions is to modify nerve activity by using electrical impulses in an effort to decrease pain.

**Life Style and Complimentary Approach**

Along with medical and surgical intervention many lifestyle modifications and complementary therapies can help in the management of trigeminal neuralgia:

· Good Diet and Nutrition: A healthy diet, rich in anti-inflammatory foods which help reduce total nerve irritation. Also, stay away from triggers that can escalate symptoms: including hot or cold foods and beverages.

· Manage Stress: High stress sometimes can makes episode of pain worsen. One way to deal with the body when you feel pain is through techniques such as mindfulness meditation, yoga and relaxation exercises.

· Physical Therapy: Facially physiotherapy exercises and physical therapy such as gentle massaging can sometimes relax the muscles around this nerve from muscle tension, increase blood flow.

Support and Coping Strategies

It can be physically and emotionally hard to live with trigeminal neuralgia. These connections, and reaching out for support from a healthcare provider or to people who are going through the same thing as you can be invaluable. Therapy (Cognitive-behavioral therapy, CBT) and counseling can also help those dealing with the psychological effects of chronic pain.