Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is intense facial pain caused by irritation of the trigeminal nerve, which transmits sensation from the face. The pain is usually described as stabbing or similar to an electric shock, and it appears in brief episodes.

How it shows up: episodes of sharp pain in the cheek, jaw, or around the eye, which can be triggered by chewing, talking, washing the face, or by a simple breeze.

When to seek care? If the facial pain is recurrent, very intense, or interferes with eating and talking, an evaluation is advisable; a sudden, severe episode may require emergency care.

Which professional evaluates it? The general practitioner can guide the initial diagnosis and, in acute cases, the emergency physician provides immediate care. If you recognize these episodes of facial pain, seeing a professional to identify the cause will allow you to manage them better.