Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition coming from the trigeminal nerve. It is more likely to occur in women more often than men at the age of 50 and above. The function of the trigeminal nerve is to supply sensation from your face to your brain. The pain can start near the top of the ear and split towards the eye, cheek and jaw on each side of the face. Trigeminal neuralgia pain usually affects only one side of the face. A mild stimulation to the face such as brushing your teeth or eating, can trigger the trigeminal nerve to cause excruciating pain. The exact cause of Trigeminal pain is still unknown in elderly patients. However, the pain can be caused by an irritation and injury of the trigeminal nerve. Also, patients often experience pain followed by a car accident or a blow to the face. People who suffer from multiple sclerosis or a similar disorder that damages the myelin sheath of Trigeminal nerves are most likely to develop Trigeminal neuralgia. If left untreated, Trigeminal neuralgia pain can progressively worsen over time.

There are two types of Trigeminal neuralgia:

Primary Trigeminal neuralgia– irritation and pain due to the compression of the nerve caused by contact between a healthy blood vessel and the trigeminal nerve at the base of the brain where the nerve enters the brain stem. It is often described as an intensely stabbing, sharp, throbbing, burning or electric shock-like pain

Secondary Trigeminal neuralgia– caused by pressure on the nerve which can be linked to tumors, cysts or facial injuries. The intensity of the pain is usually lower than primary type neuralgia. It is often represented as a constant, aching, burning pain.