Trigeminal Neuralgia (Facial Nerve Pain) (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
Trigeminal Neuralgia Causes
- The condition has no clear-cut cause.
- Some experts argue that the syndrome is caused by
traumatic damage to the nerve as it passes from the openings in the skull to
the muscles and tissue of the face. The damage compresses the nerve, causing
the nerve cell to shed the protective and conductive coating (demyelination).
- Others believe the cause stems from biochemical
change in the nerve tissue itself.
- A more recent notion is that an abnormal blood vessel compresses the nerve as it exits from the brain itself.
- Some experts argue that the syndrome is caused by
traumatic damage to the nerve as it passes from the openings in the skull to
the muscles and tissue of the face. The damage compresses the nerve, causing
the nerve cell to shed the protective and conductive coating (demyelination).
- In all cases, though, an excessive burst of nervous activity from a damaged nerve causes the painful attacks.
Next: Trigeminal Neuralgia Symptoms »
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Trigeminal Neuralgia »
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a common and potentially disabling pain syndrome, the precise pathophysiology of which remains obscure.
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