Inflammation of the trigeminal nerve: symptoms, where it is located, how to treat it, photos, causes

Inflammation of the trigeminal nerve is a neurological pathology that is always accompanied by severe pain during an attack.

This disease, which is also called neuritis, is common in people over fifty, especially among the female population.

It is not fatal, but it can lead to negative consequences, so it is important to know the symptoms and treatment methods for this type of inflammation.

Problems of the cause in women and men

The trigeminal node has three ramifications that are located on different sides of the person's face. One branch is localized on top of the brow ridge, the second is located on both sides of the nasal cavity, and the third is in the area of ​​the lower jaw. This nerve is the fifth of 12 pairs of cranial nerve endings.

The photo shows where the trigeminal nerve is located and where the pain radiates during its inflammation:

Neuralgia develops due to irritation or pressure, as well as deformation or injury of the nerve sheath. All these factors lead to the exposure of the nerve, which provokes severe pain. Soreness usually lasts a couple of minutes.

It is very difficult to establish exactly what causes the trigeminal or, as it is also called, the triple nerve to become inflamed. Medical experts still do not understand what is the primary source of inflammation. It is believed that inflammation of the facial nerve is provoked by the following reasons:

1. Multiple sclerosis.
2. Mental disorders.
3. Accumulation of cholesterol in blood vessels.
4. Diabetes mellitus and thyroid disease.
5. Viral diseases such as shingles.
6. Chronic infectious diseases: tuberculosis, syphilis, herpes and brucellosis.
7. Hypothermia of the face. This is especially true for people who go without a headdress in winter. When the nerve is chilled, soreness occurs after washing with cool water.
8. Dental diseases: caries, pulpitis, gum abscess, periodontitis, periodontitis, gingivitis. Malocclusion, removal of a tooth or incorrectly installed seal can also provoke inflammation.
9. External and internal compression of the trigeminal node. Internal compression occurs in the presence of adhesions, displacement of veins, arteries or neoplasms. External is observed most often after inflammation of the nasal and oral cavity.

Only a qualified doctor can establish the cause of neuritis after a full examination.

Symptoms are obvious, wayward

Symptoms of inflammation of the trigeminal facial nerve cannot be left unnoticed:

• chills;
• insomnia;
• irascibility;
• muscle soreness;
• chronic fatigue;
• weakness and headache;
• slight increase in temperature;
• increased salivation and tearing;
• muscle twitching occurs at the site of inflammation;
• change in facial expressions, slight skewing of some facial areas;
• acute pain syndrome of a cross-cutting nature, on the right or left side of the face.

Important symptoms are shown in the photo:

If the trigeminal nerve is chilled, then among the symptoms there is always pain, which is divided into two types:

1. Atypical pain. The soreness is intermittent, lasting about twenty seconds every hour. The lesion is so great that it is difficult for the patient to indicate its source. It is difficult to open the mouth, facial asymmetry appears. Because of the strongest muscle spasm, a pain tic is disturbing.
2. Typical. The pain is intense and periodic, sharp. Some people confuse this type with a toothache. The duration of the attack is two to three minutes. Soreness is felt in a certain area, it can be increased by applying makeup, keeping your teeth clean, smiling, washing your face and laughing. After the next attack, aching pain syndrome persists for a long time.

Regardless of whether a woman or a man has a chill / chill of the jaw facial nerve, the symptoms will manifest themselves with increasing force if you do not see a doctor in time.

Inflammation is important to distinguish from trigeminal neuropathy, which has similar symptoms. In addition to pain, with neuropathy, the following symptoms are present:

• skewed facial expressions;
• heavy sweating;
• dryness and numbness of the skin;
• the whole face can remain motionless;
• the eye does not close from the inflamed side;
• blue discoloration or redness of the skin.

If there is at least one such symptom, you should make an appointment with a doctor who will make an accurate diagnosis and start treatment therapy.

There are two types of inflammation:

1. Primary inflammation. Caused by poor circulation, piercing pain.
2. Secondary. Most often it develops as a complication after the primary one. Burning soreness does not stop long enough.

Diagnostic Research - Medical Investigation

To diagnose neuralgia, you should be examined by a neurologist. As an additional consultation, you can contact a physiotherapist, chiropractor, balneologist and rehabilitation therapist. If the question arises as to which doctor to go to, then you can always go to the therapist, who, depending on the patient's complaints, will refer him to the right specialist.

In the office, the doctor conducts a full examination of the face. The focus of inflammation is studied by palpation.

An examination is carried out to detect the development of frontal sinusitis, sinusitis and sinusitis.

Instrumental methods for diagnosing neuritis of the facial nerve:

1. MRI. Thanks to tomography, you can get a complete picture of the internal organs and study their condition.
2. Angiography is a manipulation that allows you to study the state of the vessels of the brain.

An instrumental technique is prescribed to clarify the diagnosis.

Treating the disease is a serious campaign

You do not need to decide for yourself how to treat the disease. Appointments should be made by a doctor, not friends in the forum, even if he is entirely devoted to this disease.

As a therapeutic therapy, conservative methods are used, which include taking medications and physiotherapy procedures.

If radical action is needed, surgical intervention is performed. There are many operations to treat the trigeminal nerve. The neurosurgeon will determine which method to choose.

Medication

Drug treatment of inflammation of the trigeminal nerve is based on the use of drugs from the following groups:

1. Non-steroidal and pain relievers tablets and other dosage forms of medicines: Celebrex, Baralgin, Movalis, Analgin, Dicloberl. Therapy lasts from five to seven days, since these drugs have a negative effect on the intestines, stomach and liver.
2. Non-narcotic drugs for severe pain: Ketanov, Deksalgin, Ketalgin.
3. Narcotic analgesics: Morphine, Promedol, Nalbuphin, Tramadol.
4. If neuralgia is provoked by a virus, antibiotics: Lavomax, Acyclovir, Gerpevir.
5. Anticonvulsant medicines: Tegretol, Carbamazepine or Finlepsin. They quickly relieve cramps, spasms and pain.

Treatment with medicines without the appointment of a specialist cannot be carried out! The doctor must select not only the drug, but also indicate the dosage.

Physiotherapy

With trigeminal neuritis, the following physiotherapeutic manipulations are used:

1. Ion therapy or electrophoresis - a drug is injected through the skin, pain and inflammation are eliminated.
2. Laser radiation - relieves pain and swelling.
3. Phonophoresis - has a stimulating effect on tissues and cells.
4. UST - vibro-massage of tissues and acceleration of cell division is performed.
5. DDT is an electrotherapeutic method that improves blood circulation, relieves headaches, and relieves swelling.
6. Electromagnetic radiation - improves blood flow and muscle tone.
7. UFO - improves the processes of nervous activity.

Surgical intervention

The operation is performed by an experienced neurosurgeon. Various types of operations are used, some of them:

1. Microvascular decompression. During the operation, the vessel is removed or moved, as it creates unnecessary pressure on the trigeminal root. In rare cases, facial numbness, stroke, split eyes, and deafness can occur.
2. Percutaneous rhizotomy. Glycerin is used as a medicinal substance. It is injected through the skin of the face into the area of ​​the triple node of all branches.
3. Air percutaneous compression. Using a needle, a balloon is placed next to the nerve, which creates damage to the nerve ending. The disadvantage is that soreness may return over time, sometimes the face becomes numb.
4. Radiosurgery using the Gamma Knife apparatus. Due to ionizing radiation, the damaged process is eliminated. After 14 days, the patient's pain will begin to decrease.

Massage

The procedure is carried out in a sitting position. The neck muscles should be relaxed, the head thrown back. The clavicle, chest and mastoid muscle are massaged. Then the parotid parts are rubbed and the injured, and then the healthy part of the face is stroked.

The entire massage is carried out no longer than 15 minutes, one course includes from 10 to 14 sessions.

Traditional methods

In alternative medicine, the following recipes are used to treat this disease:

1. Geranium. The leaves of the plant are washed with running water, dried, kneaded in hand and wrapped in bandage or gauze. The bandage is applied to the painful area for 30 minutes. The manipulation is carried out 4 times a day.
2. Horseradish root. The product must be ground to a gruel. Gauze is dipped into the finished mixture for impregnation, then it is placed on the damaged area of ​​the skin.
3. Ice. It is necessary to walk with ice all over the face and neck. Then, with massaging movements, the skin is warmed up and so on three times. After a while, the procedure is repeated.
4. Vodka and raspberry tincture. The proportions are 3 to 1. The remedy is infused for 9 days and taken before meals for three months.

Folk remedies are an additional treatment, not the main one; before using them, you need to consult a doctor.

Possible complications, unpleasant deterioration

Possible consequences of nerve inflammation:

• ataxia;
• losing weight;
• damage to the muscles of the face;
• emotional imbalance;
• hearing loss or impairment;
• weakening of the immune system;
• withdrawal due to deep depression and other mental disorders.

Complications are possible if you do not provide timely assistance.

Features in pregnant women and children

During the period of gestation, a woman may suffer from swelling, which leads to irritation and pressure on the vessels and nerves. Hormonal disruptions and frequent stress only exacerbate this condition.

As a treatment, Paracetamol or other drugs approved for use during pregnancy are used to relieve inflammation and soreness. Medicines are also used to normalize blood flow. In order not to harm the fetus, all medications are best taken after 12 weeks of pregnancy.

This type of neuralgia rarely develops in children. The child complains of acute pain when touching the skin of the face. For advice, you should contact a pediatric neurologist.

In treatment, anesthetic and lidocaine cream are used as pain relievers. Anticonvulsants and antispasmodics are also prescribed.

Prophylaxis

To prevent nerve damage, you should:

• tempered;
• go dancing;
• eat properly;
• jogging and swimming;
• rest more and not be nervous;
• do not allow hypothermia, do not sit in drafts;
• undergo treatment by a dentist and an otolaryngologist on time;
• do not abuse alcoholic beverages, quit smoking.