What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Trigeminal neuralgia is a type of nerve pain that specifically affects the face. Flare-ups of trigeminal neuralgia often begin with a tingling or numbness and progress to intense bursts of sharp pain. The parts of the face that are most commonly affected by trigeminal neuralgia include:

• Upper jaw
• Lower jaw
• Teeth
• Cheek

While it is less common, trigeminal neuralgia can also affect:

• Forehead
• Eyes
• Nose
• Ears
• Lips

Trigeminal neuralgia usually only affects one side of the face. In rare cases, it can affect both sides of the face, although not at the same time.

Who Does Trigeminal Neuralgia Affect?

Trigeminal neuralgia can affect anyone, but there are certain segments of the population that are more likely to suffer from trigeminal neuralgia. These include:

• People more than 50 years of age
• Those with a family history of trigeminal neuralgia
• Women

Trigeminal Neuralgia Symptoms

Trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by sudden attacks of severe, shooting pain in the face. This pain typically lasts anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes.

Learn more about trigeminal neuralgia symptoms.

What Causes Trigeminal Neuralgia?

The trigeminal nerve is the largest nerve in the head. Trigeminal neuralgia is most often caused by compression of blood vessels at the root of the trigeminal nerve near the brain stem.

Learn more about what causes trigeminal neuralgia.

Trigeminal Neuralgia Diagnosis

Accurate diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia relies heavily on a patient's ability to describe the location and type of pain they are experiencing. Giving your doctor details of the pain, such as where and when it occurs, may help with making a diagnosis.

Learn more about trigeminal neuralgia diagnosis.

Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment

There are a range of trigeminal neuralgia and facial pain treatment options available at Stanford Health Care. Some patients receive pain relief from medication and conservative care for their symptoms, while others require surgery.

Learn more about trigeminal neuralgia treatment.