Trigeminal Neuralgia Symptoms

• A defining feature of trigeminal neuralgia is the trigger zone-a small area in the central part of the face, usually on a cheek, nose, or lip, that, when stimulated, triggers a typical burst of pain.
  
  
  • A light touch or vibration is the most effective trigger.
    
    
  • Because of this, many common daily activities trigger the attacks.
    
    
    • Washing your face, brushing your teeth, shaving, or talking
      
      
    • Common sensations such as having wind hit your face
      
      
    • Eating and chewing
  
  
• Many people avoid food and drink rather than experience the severe pain.
  
  
  • These people risk weight loss and dehydration, a leading cause of hospitalization in this group.
    
    
  • People frequently require hospitalization for rapid pain control when their trigeminal neuralgia becomes unmanageable at home.
  
  
• Between attacks, most people remain relatively pain-free. A subgroup, however, experience a dull ache between attacks, suggesting physical compression of the affected nerve, either by a blood vessel or some other structure.