Know the Symptoms of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) is a painful and often debilitating nerve disorder that causes sudden shock-like or burning facial pain and is said to be one of the most excruciating human conditions known. Often misdiagnosed as a dental problem, TN is characterized by sharp jaw pain. Read below about the two different types of TN and the symptoms that characterize both:

• Typical TN – Sudden, stabbing, shock-like pain in a constant location on the face. Typical TN patients can often produce an attack by touching a type of “trigger point” on the face or by performing specific activities like chewing, talking or brushing their teeth.

• Atypical TN – Persistent dull ache or burning sensation in one part of the face. Those who suffer from atypical TN typically do not have any specific “trigger” but the pain can grow worse over time.

If you think you may have trigeminal neuralgia, speak with your doctor about your symptoms and how you can manage the pain.

St. Louis CyberKnife treats trigeminal neuralgia with stereotactic radiosurgery using CyberKnife technology.

This is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your health care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions, together with your doctor.