Trigeminal Neuralgia

Symptoms

The hallmark symptom of trigeminal neuralgia is pain that occurs without warning or is triggered by actions such as chewing, speaking, face washing and toothbrushing. Pain that is caused by cold winds or by touching a specific trigger spot also indicates the disorder.

Trigeminal neuralgia usually affects one side of the face. The pain may occur on just a portion of that side or spread in a wider pattern.

An attack of trigeminal neuralgia can last from a few seconds to about a minute. Some patients with trigeminal neuralgia have mild, occasional twinges of pain. Others endure frequent, severe, electric-shocklike pain. The condition may worsen quickly. Short, mild attacks in some patients can intensify, with frequent episodes of jolting, piercing pain.

Trigeminal neuralgia attacks occur intermittently; for example, pain might occur throughout the day or even for days or weeks at a time, and then disappear for a prolonged period.