Pregnancy is a tricky phase in a woman’s life. Pregnancy can pave the way for new health issues, aggravate existing health conditions, or trigger issues that have been silent or hidden so far. Some of these health issues are treatable during pregnancy, some go away on their own after the delivery, and some are here to stay, as treating them can harm the foetus. Trigeminal Neuralgia is one such condition.
Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition that affects the face. It affects the trigeminal nerve that carries the signal from the face to the brain. Even a light touch on any part of the face or the teeth can cause intense pain as if that part of the face had just received an electric shock.
In the beginning, the pain can be mild, with just short episodes. As the condition worsens, the intensity of the pain can increase, and the duration can also get longer.
Trigeminal neuralgia can be of two types –
1. Paroxysmal Trigeminal Neuralgia – Sudden, sharp, intense pain on one side or part of the face that lasts between a few seconds to a few minutes. There will be pain-free breaks in between episodes.
2. Trigeminal Neuralgia with Continuous Pain – Frequent episodes of pain that are less painful but more frequent. The pains and aches are persistent, and the symptoms are tougher to manage.
Trigeminal neuralgia causes can be determined by the type of TN one is suffering from.
● Primary TN – A blood vessel pushes against the trigeminal nerve root. The pressure can cause sudden, intense pain.
● Secondary TN – Another health condition that damages the trigeminal nerve. This is rare and mostly affects the younger crowd, unlike the primary TN.
● Idiopathic TN – Diagnostic tests are unable to identify a clear cause for the facial pain or spasm.
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) can affect anyone. It mostly affects people over the age of 50. Though not impossible, it is very rare to see trigeminal neuralgia affecting people below 40. It is more common among women than in men.
The following increases your risk of trigeminal neuralgia:
● Above 50 years of age
● Female
● Family history of TN
● High blood pressure
● Suffering from Multiple sclerosis
● Regular smoker
TN usually affects older women. However, in very rare cases, an underlying condition can be triggered by pregnancy. You may feel the pain more than before. If a woman who is already suffering from TN becomes pregnant, managing the condition becomes difficult. The medications generally used for controlling the symptoms of TN may not be completely safe during pregnancy. Hence restricting the use of medications or other treatments during pregnancy.
Doctors usually prescribe paracetamol or opioids in case of severe pain in TN. While paracetamol is safe during pregnancy to a certain extent, opioids are not. The best way to handle trigeminal neuralgia pain during pregnancy is to opt for non-pharmacological treatments like yoga, meditation, acupressure, etc.
Trigeminal neuralgia affects the face. It can be unexpected and quite painful. If you are suffering from trigeminal neuralgia, you may experience the following:
● Sudden shoot of pain like an electric shock on one side of the face
● Sudden episodes of pain with no apparent cause
● Sharp pain triggered by touching the face, chewing, brushing teeth, or even speaking
● Sudden facial pain that lasts for a few seconds to a few minutes (cheek, jaw, teeth, lips, forehead, eye socket,
● Facial spasms along with pain
● Burning or throbbing sensation between episodes of pain
● Severe facial pain that prevents you from doing anything
● Episodes of pain become intense or frequent over time.
When you experience sudden episodes of sharp pain, your doctor will do the following to confirm a diagnosis:
● Get details of your medical history.
● Check family medical history.
● Understand the location, intensity, and frequency of the pain.
● Ask about the triggers or when you feel the pain.
● Physical exam of the head and neck area.
● Neurological exam.
There is no permanent cure for TN. The common methods of treating TN are:
● Medications - Medications like paracetamol and opioids can help control the pain. However, opioids are not safe during pregnancy. Some doctors may give controlled dosages of some pregnancy-safe medications.
● Radiofrequency Ablation – RF is an effective treatment but will expose the baby to radiation. Using a lead shield and reducing the use of fluoroscopy.
● Exercises – Exercises can help strengthen the muscles and reduce the impact of the pain on them.
● Others – Yoga, meditation, acupuncture, aromatherapy, and psychotherapy can also help manage the pain without using anything that could potentially harm the baby.
Unfortunately, there is no way to avoid trigeminal neuralgia. However, you can manage the symptoms and control the pain to a great extent. Early detection can help start treatment before the pain can get worse.
Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic condition that causes pain. Though not a life-threatening condition, it can alter one’s life to a great extent. TN is not common and is very rare in pregnant women. Early diagnosis of the condition can help treat the symptoms and control the pain effectively.
Some common ways of treating trigeminal neuralgia in pregnancy are through medications and RF (radiofrequency) treatment. For those who are not keen on such pharmacological treatments, acupuncture, aromatherapy, yoga, meditation, or psychotherapy can also help.
Some red flags in trigeminal neuralgia are – pain limited to the eye socket, forehead, nose, or the sides of the face, ear problems or deafness, sensory changes, history of multiple sclerosis in the family, history of lesions on the skin that can spread or the onset of pain before you turn 40 years old.
Trigeminal neuralgia causes intense pain or electric shock-like sensation across the facial nerves. People suffering from this condition should avoid foods that can irritate the facial nerves or trigger pain. Foods that are very hot, cold, or spicy, such as caffeine, citric, or sugary foods, should be avoided.
Strength training and physiotherapy exercises can help strengthen the muscles and reduce the impact on the nerves. Various yoga asanas and yogic breathing techniques can also help soothe the facial nerves and reduce pain.
