Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment in Brooklyn, NYC & NJ

What Is Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), commonly referred to as facial pain, is a disorder that affects the trigeminal nerve. This is the nerve that communicates touch and other senses from the face to the brain. When this nerve is compressed or irritated, it causes sudden and severe pain that can last from a few seconds to several minutes.

Neurologist Dr. Mark Cohen, brain injury specialist Dr. Dmitriy Dvoskin and pain management expert Dr. Leon Reyfman treat TN in New York and New Jersey. These doctors at Neuro Injury Specialists offer a variety of trigeminal neuralgia treatments, including Botox injections, which can effectively reduce the pain and frequency of trigeminal neuralgia attacks. This medical practice in New York and New Jersey has the expertise and experience to offer a solution to get your life back on track.

What Are the Symptoms of TN?

The trigeminal nerve has three branches: the ophthalmic branch, which covers the eye, forehead and nose; the maxillary branch, which covers the cheek, upper lip and teeth; and the mandibular branch, which covers the lower lip, jaw and teeth.

When any one of the branches gets irritated or becomes compressed for any reason, the resulting symptoms can be very distressing. The pain can be debilitating, interfering with your daily activities, social life and mental health.

The most common symptoms include:

• Episodes of severe, shooting or jabbing pain that may feel like an electric shock on one side of your face
• Pain that’s triggered by touch, movement, chewing, brushing your teeth, shaving, talking or smiling
• Pain that lasts from a few seconds to several minutes and may occur several times a day or in clusters
• Pain that spreads to other areas of your face or head
• Pain that’s accompanied by muscle spasms, twitching or tearing of the eye
• Pain that varies in intensity, frequency and duration
• Pain that worsens over time
• Pain and discomfort that becomes more resistant to trigeminal neuralgia treatments

Who’s at Risk of Developing Facial Pain?

Trigeminal neuralgia can affect anyone, but it’s a rare condition that affects less than one percent of the population. It can occur at any age but is more common in people over 50 years old. Women are affected more often than men.

The exact cause of trigeminal neuralgia is still unknown, but some factors seem to increase the risk of developing this condition.

Factors that increase susceptibility to this disorder include:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS). This is a chronic disease that damages the myelin sheath, which is the protective coating around the nerves. MS can affect the trigeminal nerve and cause trigeminal neuralgia. Nearly four percent of people with MS have trigeminal neuralgia.
• Family history. Trigeminal neuralgia can run in families, suggesting a genetic predisposition. Some studies have identified mutations in certain genes that may be associated with trigeminal neuralgia.
• High blood pressure. This can damage the blood vessels that press on the trigeminal nerve and cause irritation or compression.
• Dental or sinus illnesses. These can cause nerve damage or inflammation that may trigger trigeminal neuralgia. For example, people with a history of sinus headaches might be more at risk.

What Happens if I Don’t Get Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment?

This type of facial pain is not a life-threatening condition, but it can have a serious impact on your well-being if you don’t see a facial pain doctor. The long-term effects extend beyond the physical feeling because prolonged pain affects all spheres of your life.

With untreated trigeminal neuralgia, you also see disruptions in your social life and career. While you may not experience any residual side effects other than the intermittent facial pain, the emotional effects are crucial.

Some of the possible consequences of continuing to avoid trigeminal neuralgia treatments include:

• Impaired quality of life. The pain can stop you from doing daily activities, such as eating, talking or washing your face. You may also avoid socializing or hobbies.
• Depression and anxiety. Living with pain can affect your mood and mental health. You may feel hopeless, helpless or angry. You may also worry about the next attack. These feelings can cause depression and anxiety, which can make your pain worse. Some people experience suicidal thoughts because of the pain.
• Poor oral hygiene and nutrition. If you fear pain by brushing your teeth or eating, you may neglect your oral hygiene and nutrition. This can cause dental problems, infections, weight loss, malnutrition or dehydration.

What Is the Treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Facial pain treatment can be done using oral drugs, injections and surgery. The first line of treatment for trigeminal neuralgia is usually pain medication. If medication is not enough to control your pain, or if you have unpleasant side effects, your facial pain specialist may recommend other treatment options.

These treatments aim to block or damage the trigeminal nerve or the blood vessel that compresses it, so that the pain signals are stopped or reduced.

The facial pain specialist can use one or a combination of facial pain treatments, including:

• Prescription drugs. Your facial pain doctor may prescribe anticonvulsants, which are drugs that prevent nerve impulses from causing pain. Some examples of anticonvulsants are carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, lamotrigine and phenytoin.
• Botox Injections. Botox is a type of toxin that relaxes muscles and eases pain. Botox inhibits the release of certain chemicals that transmit pain signals, which reduces the intensity and frequency of pain episodes. It’s also helpful for relieving cluster headaches, tension headaches and chronic migraines. Botox injections can last for three to six months and repeated if needed.
• Trigeminal nerve block. A nerve block deposits anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication, in order to stop the nerve from transferring the pain signals from reaching your brain.
• Glycerol injection. Glycerol is a type of alcohol that destroys nerve fibers and blocks pain signals. This injection is performed by inserting a needle through the cheek and into the trigeminal ganglion, which is a cluster of nerve cells where the trigeminal nerve originates. This trigeminal neuralgia treatment can provide relief for up to a year or longer.
• Balloon compression. A balloon is inserted through a needle into the trigeminal ganglion and inflated to apply enough pressure to damage the nerve fibers and reduce pain.
• Microvascular decompression. A small incision is made behind the ear and a piece of sponge or Teflon is placed between the blood vessel and the trigeminal nerve to relieve compression and prevent irritation.
• Brain stereotactic radiosurgery. A high dose of radiation is delivered to the trigeminal nerve root using a device called a gamma knife or a linear accelerator, causing damage to the nerve fibers and reducing pain.
• Radiofrequency thermal lesioning. An electrode is inserted through a needle into the trigeminal ganglion and heated by an electric current to create a lesion on the nerve fibers and block pain signals.

Trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological disorder that can be treated with a combination of effective facial pain treatments administered by your experienced facial pain doctor at Neuro Injury Specialists, where you receive cutting-edge, compassionate care for TN. They have the expertise, experience and equipment needed to handle these disorders. Contact them today  to set up a consultation with Dr. Cohen, Dr. Dvoskin or Dr. Reyfman for the relief you seek.