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Trigeminal Neuralgia

Approximately only four in every 100,000 people are affected with trigeminal neuralgia, with women twice as likely to develop it as men. Although trigeminal neuralgia is rare, there are treatment options available to relieve your pain.

What is trigeminal neuralgia?

Trigeminal neuralgia is a painful disorder affecting the face, delivering intense electric shock-like pain in one or more areas of the facial nerves.

People who suffer from trigeminal neuralgia may experience pain attacks that come on abruptly and last anywhere from several seconds to several minutes. The pain is usually triggered by minor stimuli of mouth and face, such as chewing, talking, brushing teeth or wind blowing on the face.

Diagnosing Trigeminal Neuralgia

To diagnose trigeminal neuralgia, Dignity Health-affiliated doctors will take a careful history and use electromyography to confirm the diagnosis.

Treating trigeminal neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is highly conducive to treatment, which could include:

  • Medications
  • Surgery
  • Therapy
For assistance with a physician referral, call 1-888-800-7688. To request additional information from someone at the Dignity Health Neurological Institute of Northern California, email us today.