Neuralgia of the facial nerve

Neuralgia is a condition in which the peripheral nerve (nerves) lesions occur. This ailment is characterized by the manifestation of bouts of painful sensations without disturbances in motor functions and loss of sensitivity.

Neuralgia of the facial nerve is characterized by the appearance of irritations, one-sided intense pains of the shooting type in the area of its innervation. Often there are painful sensations at touches to a skin of brows, lips, a nose. Neuralgia of the facial nerve is more common in women. In addition, as practice shows, this disease is often observed in patients older than 40 years of age.

In the function of the trigeminal (facial) nerve is the task of providing sensitivity in the face. Located on both sides, it has three branches. The first branch is responsible for providing sensitivity to the skin of the forehead, upper eyelid and eyes. The second branch is responsible for the sensitivity of the nostrils, cheeks, gums, upper eyelid, upper lip. The function of the third branch is to ensure the sensitivity of several chewing muscles, gums, lower jaw and lip.

Usually neuralgia of the facial nerve is expressed in its compression, provoked by clenching it with veins or arteries in the posterior fossa of the skull. The contraction can also occur due to the vascular loop, which refers to vascular anomalies. As another reason, experts call compression of the branches of the trigeminal nerve when they pass through the bone channels at the base of the skull. The narrowing of the canals can be congenital or occur due to the occurrence of chronic inflammation in adjacent areas. In rare cases, compression occurs as a result of a tumor in the cerebrospinal area.

Neuralgia of the facial nerve. Symptoms

As a rule, the disease manifests itself without special reasons, spontaneously. In some cases, the neuralgia of the facial nerve occurs after the treatment of teeth, injuries and other effects. The disease is characterized by painful attacks of very severe pain. Localization of pain occurs in the zone of innervation of the branches. Painful irritations can last several seconds or minutes. They stop just as suddenly. In the intervals between attacks, pain sensations are not observed. As a rule, the ailment is accompanied by some vegetative manifestations. They include hyperemia of the face, increased lachrymation and salivation. In addition, the reflex character of contraction of muscles is mimic and masticatory.

Intensity of seizures causes patients to take peculiar postures in order to reduce pain, to breathe heavily or, on the contrary, to hold their breath.

Pain can be streaking, burning or stitching. In some cases, seizures occur one after another at intervals of several minutes.

Neuralgia of the facial nerve. Treatment

It should be noted that getting rid of the disease does not occur in all cases. However, with the use of modern methods and tools, the soreness accompanying seizures can be greatly alleviated.

First of all, the patient is prescribed an anticonvulsant drug. Therapy includes the use of phenytoin, carbamazepine. The dosage of medications is selected by the doctor individually. An increase in the effect of anticonvulsants is achieved with the help of antihistamines. In addition, therapy involves the use of vasodilators and antispasmodics. Very effective in neuralgia physiotherapy (diadynamic currents, ionogalvanizatsiya with amidopirinom, novocaine, etc.). To improve the trophic use of vitamins B and multivitamins.

In the absence of the effect of complex medication, surgical intervention is prescribed. In many cases, therapy involves microsurgical decompression of the nerve branches.