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Trigeminal neuralgia E-mail
Written by Dr. Bhatti   
Wednesday, 19 September 2007
Complementary approaches to trigeminal neuralgia work best with a combined approach, writes Dr Bhatti Neuralgia is a condition that causes mild to severe frequent electric shock type of pain shooting through the face. The condition may start with mild twinges that frequently develop into excruciating pain that can have an affect on every area of personal and professional life. These painful attacks can be spontaneous, but they may also be provoked by even mild stimulation of the face, including brushing teeth, shaving, putting on makeup, a breeze, talking, eating and temperature variation. The pain of trigeminal neuralgia may occur in a fairly small area or it may spread rapidly over a wider area and lasts from a few seconds to a minute. It is, however, usually restricted to one side of the face. The condition tends to come and go. 
 
This condition is called trigeminal neuralgia because the painful facial areas are those served by one or more of the three branches of the trigeminal nerve. The cause of the pain usually is due to contact between a normal artery or vein and the trigeminal nerve at the base of the brain. This places pressure on the nerve, as it enters the brain and causes the nerve to misfire. Physical nerve damage or stress may be the initial trigger for trigeminal neuralgia. Other conditions that may result in pain from the trigeminal nerve include tumors, multiple sclerosis and a stroke. Trigeminal neuralgia affects more women than men and it tends to be more predominant in people over 50 years of age. 
 
Pharmaceutical medications are used to lessen or block pain signals sent to the brain, although some people may stop responding to a particular medication or experience side effects. Doctors may prescribe a combination of pain killers and muscle relaxants and, in severe cases, surgery is recommended. Other medical options are alcohol injections under the skin of the face, which offers temporary pain relief for a few weeks, or Glycerol injection. This procedure involves inserting a needle through the face into an opening in the base of the skull to inject sterile glycerol, which then damages the trigeminal nerve and blocks pain signals. Unfortunately the problems associated with this procedure may include a recurrence of pain over a period of time and facial numbness or tingling. Other procedures to damage the nerve are also used, including using an electric current called percutaneous stereotactic radiofrequency thermal rhizotomy (PSRTR) and Gamma-knife radiosurgery (GKR).
 
Complementary approaches work best with a combined approach. People have found success with low-powered laser treatment, acupuncture, cranial therapy, osteopathy, biofeedback, and manipulative approaches to decrease pain and improve function in nerves, nutrition to improve blood flow and nerve function and herbs to reduce inflammation. Cold ice compressors may help in the short term. Acupuncture can also be used in conjunction with some medical approaches. This approach promotes and enhances the healing process thus increasing the chances of successful treatment.
 
Always consult your GP before starting any new regime or self treatment. The contents of this article are for information purposes only and are not intended to prevent, diagnose or cure any medical conditions.
 
Next week’s topic is SAD (Winter Blues). If you would like a topic covered, contact The Clinic of Complementary and Natural Medicine, Kiltartan House, Forster St., Galway on 091- 568804.
 
Dr H Bhatti is the President of the Association of Naturopathic Practitioners and can be contacted at his clinics at Kiltartan House, Forster Street, Galway on 091-568804 or at The Village Nursing Care Centre, Ballygarriff, Craughwell on 091-777700.

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