by admin-blog-kh | September 25, 2025 10:06 am
If you are experiencing sharp, shock-like pains in your face, you might be suffering from Trigeminal neuralgia. This is a neurological condition caused due to compression or damage to the Trigeminal nerve. The Trigeminal nerve runs on both sides of the face, connecting the brain to the various muscles and sense organs in the face. Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition. The sharp shooting pains are typically recurring, and get worse over time. They can be triggered by every day activities like speaking, eating, drinking, smiling or even just lightly touching your face. This makes it a very debilitating condition to live with. Trigeminal neuralgia could be caused by traumatic injury to the face, multiple sclerosis[8], or a tumour or blood vessel compressing the Trigeminal nerve. Diagnosis of this condition is tricky, and requires a detailed account of the pain, neurological examinations and imaging tests. Treatment for the condition usually focusses on pain management and nerve decompression.
Are you experiencing sharp, shooting pains in your face? Does it feel like a sudden flash of lighting? An electric headache that feels absolutely debilitating? This is how most patients who suffer from trigeminal neuralgia describe their symptoms.
Trigeminal neuralgia is a nerve disorder that causes intense pain on the sides of the face. It affects the trigeminal nerves, which run on both sides of the face from the brain stem at the base of the neck. These nerves transmit touch and pain sensations to the brain from the various parts of the face like the eyes, eyelids, forehead, nostrils, lips, cheeks and jaw. When the trigeminal nerve is compressed or damaged, it leads to the shooting, electric shock-like pain in the face. Even a light touch can sometimes trigger the pain. Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition.
The primary symptom of trigeminal neuralgia is a sharp, shooting facial pain. It is often described as “an electric shock” which is a good indicator that the pain is neurological in nature, and not in the muscle. The pain can be so excruciating that the patient is completely overwhelmed and unable to function. The attacks can last anywhere from a few seconds to about 2 to 3 minutes. The attacks may be frequent, or spaced far apart. They are fairly unpredictable.
Trigeminal neuralgia usually affects one side of the face, where the nerve has been damaged or pinched. It rarely affects both sides at the same time. The painful episodes tends to become more frequent and more intense over time. If you are experiencing recurring painful episodes, we recommend seeking professional medical help sooner than later.
Trigeminal neuralgia is caused when the functioning of the trigeminal nerve is disrupted. This could be due to pinching of the nerve. Contact between a blood vessel and the trigeminal nerve could also cause excess pressure and disrupt nerve function.
Other common causes of trigeminal neuralgia include:
In some rare cases, there is no identifiable cause for the patient’s pain.
Trigeminal neuralgia can be triggered by normal day-to-day activities, which is what makes it such a difficult condition to live with. While the condition is not life-threatening, it can become so bad that it is considered a disability. The attacks could be triggered by:
Research has found that women above the age of 50 and patients with multiple sclerosis have the highest risk of developing trigeminal neuralgia.
Trigeminal neuralgia is not simple to diagnose. Often, people experiencing trigeminal neuralgia think they have a dental problem[11], and end up seeking treatment for that. The diagnosis is usually done by a neurologist[12] in consultation with a facial pain specialist and a maxillofacial nerve expert. The diagnostic team will often take an elimination approach, ruling out dental problems, tumors, sinus diseases and TMJ disorders before checking for trigeminal neuralgia.
The general physician will diagnose the condition based on the patient’s description of their pain, where the pain is located, and the triggers. The neurologist will also perform a neurological exam and reflex tests. This will help determine if the patient has a compressed nerve that is causing the pain and where the compression is located. The patient may also be required to get an MRI to look for the possible causes of their trigeminal neuralgia. The MRI may reveal that the patient has a tumour or multiple sclerosis.
The first course of treatment for trigeminal neuralgia is usually medication. Certain medications will be prescribed to lessen or eliminate the pain. Anti-seizure medications and anti-depressants have been shown to be effective in relieving this type of pain. Over a period of time, however, some patients report that the medication loses effectiveness. In such cases, injections such as Botox may be recommended. Glycerol injections at the base of the skull, where the Trigeminal nerve branches out into 3 parts, may also be administered to relieve pain. The sterile glycerol damages the trigeminal nerve and prevents it from passing pain signals to the brain.
Surgery is always seen as the last resort, when other non-invasive methods have failed. Surgical options which have proven effective in treating trigeminal neuralgia include:
It is unfortunate, but at present there is no “cure” for Trigeminal neuralgia. Living with the condition can be source of great anxiety[14] for patients. Many patients also report feeling depressed. However, many patients are also able to manage their pain, and go on to lead relatively normal lives. Sometimes, the pain can also stop completely.
For patients who experience acute pain even with treatment, we recommend Trigeminal neuralgia and chronic pain support groups and clinical trials. Not only does this offer access to a community of people who are going through the same thing, it also offers hope and a sense of agency that you are helping in the advancement of science and hopefully find a better solution to the problem you struggle with. Sometimes, that hope makes all the difference.
If you are experiencing sharp, recurring facial pain, don’t ignore the symptoms. At Kauvery Hospital[15], our expert neurologists[16] provide advanced diagnosis and personalized treatment for trigeminal neuralgia and other nerve-related conditions. With branches in Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli, and Trichy, compassionate care is always within your reach.
Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic neurological condition that causes sudden, sharp, electric shock-like pain in the face. It happens when the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensations from the face to the brain, is compressed or damaged.
The main symptom is intense facial pain, often described as a stabbing or electric shock sensation. Attacks can last from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, usually affecting one side of the face. Pain episodes may become more frequent and severe over time.
Common causes include:
In some cases, no clear cause is identified.
Women over the age of 50 and individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) are more likely to develop trigeminal neuralgia.
Currently, there is no permanent cure. However, treatments can effectively manage pain. Some patients may experience long-term relief, while others may have recurring episodes.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai (Alwarpet, Vadapalani & Radial Road), Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and paediatric trauma care.
Chennai Alwarpet – 044 4000 6000 • Chennai Vadapalani – 044 4000 6000 • Chennai Radial Road – 044 40504050 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Maa Kauvery Trichy – 0431 4077777 • Kauvery Cancer Institute, Trichy – 0431 4077777 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 68011
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