Table of Contents
What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?
Organizations
What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Trigeminal neuralgia, also called tic douloureux, is a condition that affects
the trigeminal nerve (the 5th cranial nerve), one of the largest
nerves in the head. The trigeminal nerve is responsible for sending
impulses of touch, pain, pressure, and temperature to the brain from
the face, jaw, gums, forehead, and around the eyes. Trigeminal
neuralgia is characterized by a sudden, severe, electric shock-like
or stabbing pain typically felt on one side of the jaw or cheek. The
disorder is more common in women than in men and rarely affects
anyone younger than 50. The attacks of pain, which generally last
several seconds and may be repeated one after the other, may be
triggered by talking, brushing teeth, touching the face, chewing, or
swallowing. The attacks may come and go throughout the day and last
for days, weeks, or months at a time, and then disappear for months
or years.
Is there any treatment?
Treatment for trigeminal neuralgia typically includes anticonvulsant medications such as
carbamazepine or phenytoin. Baclofen, clonazepam, gabapentin, and
valproic acid may also be effective and may be used in combination
to achieve pain relief. If medication fails to relieve pain,
surgical treatment may be recommended.
What is the prognosis?
The disorder is characterized
by recurrences and remissions, and successive recurrences may
incapacitate the patient. Due to the intensity of the pain, even the
fear of an impending attack may prevent activity. Trigeminal
neuralgia is not fatal.
What research is being done?
Within the NINDS research
programs, trigeminal neuralgia is addressed primarily through
studies associated with pain research. NINDS vigorously pursues a
research program seeking new treatments for pain and nerve damage
with the ultimate goal of reversing debilitating conditions such as
trigeminal neuralgia. NINDS has notified research investigators that
it is seeking grant applications both in basic and clinical pain
research.
Organizations
American Chronic Pain Association
(ACPA)
P.O. Box 850
Rocklin, CA
95677-0850
ACPA@pacbell.net
http://www.theacpa.org/
Tel:
916-632-0922 800-533-3231
Fax: 916-632-3208
International Radiosurgery Support
Association (IRSA)
P.O. Box 5186
Harrisburg, PA
17110
getinfo@irsa.org
http://www.irsa.org/
Tel:
717-260-9808
Fax: 717-260-9809
Mayday Fund [For Pain Research]
c/o
SPG
136 West 21st Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY
10011
mayday@maydayfund.org
http://www.painandhealth.org/
Tel:
212-366-6970
Fax:
212-366-6979
National Chronic Pain Outreach Association
(NCPOA)
P.O. Box 274
Millboro, VA 24460
ncpoa@cfw.com
http://www.chronicpain.org/
Tel:
540-862-9437
Fax: 540-862-9485
National Foundation for the Treatment of
Pain
P.O. Box 70045
Houston, TX 77270
markgordon@paincare.org
http://www.paincare.org/
Tel:
713-862-9332
Fax: 713-862-9346
Trigeminal Neuralgia Association
2801
SW Archer Road
Suite C
Gainesville, FL
32608
tnanational@tna-support.org
http://www.tna-support.org/
Tel:
352-376-9955
Fax: 352-376-8688
Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public
Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders
and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892
NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.
Last updated December 03, 2004
