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The Secret of Trigeminal Neuralgia: Why Does This Pain Make You Feel Like Thunder?
Trigeminal neuralgia, also known as facial pain, is a rare neuropathic pain that often affects patients' quality of life, causing severe emotional and physical pain. The disease primarily affects the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for sensation in the face, and the pain it evokes can be excruciating. This article explores the various forms of trigeminal neuralgia, its causes, diagnosis, and treatment options, while also providing insight into why this painful feeling can be so devastating and unforgettable.
Neuralgia is defined as pain in one or more nerves, which may be caused by irritation, compression or injury.
Classification of trigeminal neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia can be divided into typical trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and atypical trigeminal neuralgia (ATN). Classic trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by brief, intense attacks of pain, usually testing one side of the face, and lasting only a short time, usually less than two minutes. Patients often describe the pain as "stabbing," "sharp," "electric," or "burning." The pain of atypical trigeminal neuralgia is more complex, mainly manifested as a persistent feeling of pressure or burning, and may affect all branches of the trigeminal nerve, including the jaw, forehead and temporal area.
"Neuralgia is considered one of the most painful diseases, the pain is often unbearable and causes many difficulties in daily life."
Mechanisms of neuropathic pain
Studies have shown that after nerve damage, changes in nerve plasticity may lead to overexcitement of the nervous system, which in turn causes neuropathic pain. After peripheral nerve injury, the nerve's response is closely related to the severity of the injury. When a nerve is traumatized, it triggers a series of physiological responses, such as the "nociceptive discharge" phenomenon, which is believed to be the beginning of neuropathic pain. Correspondingly, when a nerve fiber is broken, the damaged fiber ends will regenerate and seek to connect with appropriate receptors. If this process is hindered, abnormal reinnervation may occur.
Diagnostic Process
Diagnosing trigeminal neuralgia involves a multifaceted evaluation including medical history, description of pain, and a physical examination. Because pain is subjective, doctors use various pain assessment questionnaires, such as the McGill Pain Questionnaire, to help. Physical examinations usually include responses to touch, temperature, and vibration. At the same time, laser evoked potential (LEP) and quantitative sensory testing (QST) are used to further explore the function of the nerves.
"Correct diagnosis is the first step in treatment, and effective treatment can greatly improve the patient's quality of life."
Treatment options
For the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, medication and surgery are the main methods. Conventional painkillers are not very effective for nerve pain, so doctors usually prescribe membrane-stabilizing drugs and antidepressants, such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and the anti-seizure drug pregabalin (Lyrica). If medications do not relieve pain or have too many side effects, surgery, such as selective rhizotomy, may be considered.
Historical BackgroundThe term "neuralgia" first appeared in French and has a history of more than 200 years. Historically, scholars' discussion on the causes and mechanisms of the disease has been like an ongoing debate, with a variety of possible causes proposed at different times, such as emotional disturbance, nerve root compression, etc. In this persistent research, the medical community explores the secrets behind pain.
Trigeminal neuralgia is known for its unbearable pain and its constant impact on patients' lives. What unsolved mysteries are hidden in it that prompt people to continue thinking and exploring the possibility of treatment?
