How to relieve trigeminal neuralgia pain with home remedies

08 October 2021

Trigeminal neuralgia (facial or trigeminal neuralgia) is a disease of the peripheral nervous system characterized by short-term, intense and repeated pain in the area of ​​innervation of one or more branches of the nerve.

Trigeminal neuralgia (facial or trigeminal neuralgia) is a disease of the peripheral nervous system characterized by short-term, intense and repeated pain in the area of ​​innervation of one or more branches of the nerve. The nerve received its name due to the presence of three branches in it: ophthalmic (upper), maxillary (middle), mandibular (lower).

It is extremely difficult to independently diagnose pathology due to the nonspecific symptoms inherent in many diseases (for example, dental ones). That is why, if any unpleasant sensations occur in the facial area, it is necessary to promptly contact a neurologist. Trigeminal neuralgia most often affects adults, especially the elderly, and is more common in women.

The pathogenesis is not completely clear. It is currently believed that the disease occurs as a result of compression of the trigeminal nerve (at the site of its exit from the pons) by tortuous, pathologically altered vessels or, less commonly, by a tumor. As a result of compression, the nerve root adjacent to the cerebral pons undergoes demyelination. This reason explains up to 80-90% of cases of the disease. Rarely, patients with multiple sclerosis develop a plaque in the area of ​​the sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve, which leads to neuralgia.

The factors that most often provoke the development of the disease include: pinching of the trigeminal nerve (temporomandibular joint injuries, congenital anomalies in the development of bone structures of the skull, tumors of the brain and facial area, pathological vasodilatation, etc.); viral nerve damage (herpetic infection, polio); odontogenic infections (“unsuccessful” filling or extraction of teeth or other surgical interventions in the face and oral cavity, reaction to anesthesia of dental canals, dental flux).

Causes of inflammatory damage to the trigeminal nerve

Factors contributing to inflammation of the trigeminal nerve are:

• surgical interventions on the jaw bones;
• fractures of the base of the skull, lower and upper jaws;
• tumors;
• complex tooth extraction;
• hypothermia;
• surgery on the maxillary sinus;
• improperly administered anesthesia;
• incorrectly performed dental prosthetics;
• metabolic disorders;
• the presence of foreign bodies that irritate the nerve trunk or injure nerve endings;
• bacterial or viral infection;
• various types of intoxication of the body;
• hypovitaminosis;
• weakening of the immune system.

Classification of the disease

Due to the occurrence

• Primary (idiopathic) trigeminal neuralgia. A classic type of neuralgia, so to speak. Occurs due to compression of the trigeminal nerve.
• Secondary trigeminal neuralgia is a consequence of other diseases and viruses.

By coverage

• Unilateral (one branch of the trigeminal nerve is affected).
• Bilateral (more than one branch is affected).

Neuralgia can affect the 1st, 2nd, 3rd branches of the trigeminal nerve. The first branch is responsible for the orbital zone, the second for the median zone (including the nose and upper lip), and the third for the lower jaw. Most often, damage to the third branch is diagnosed, so the pain affects the area of ​​the lower jaw, and an attack often occurs during hygiene, eating or shaving.

Symptoms of trigeminal neuritis

The maxillary trigeminal nerve consists of three types of nerve fibers:

• vegetative;
• motor;
• sensitive.

The symptomatic picture of neuritis may vary depending on which fibers were affected by the inflammatory process.

Damage to sensory fibers

In particular, with inflammation of the sensory fibers, the patient may complain of a tingling sensation, numbness, and weakened sensitivity in the area innervated by the trigeminal nerve.

Damage to motor fibers

When motor fibers are damaged, there is a partial or complete decrease in strength in the innervated muscles, their atrophy and deterioration of tendon reflexes.

Damage to vegetative fibers

When the vegetative fibers are inflamed, the patient experiences cyanosis and swelling of the skin, dryness and thinning of the skin, and the potential risk of developing a trophic ulcer increases.

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Pain due to inflammation

In addition, a disease such as inflammation or neuritis of the facial trigeminal nerve makes itself felt with attacks of pain of a very diverse nature:

• cutting,
• burning,
• pricking,
• tearing
• shooting, etc.

In this case, the area of ​​pain does not always correspond to the area of ​​innervation and can spread to the lower jaw, cheeks and chin.

Pain may be accompanied by:

• muscle spasms (facial, chewing),
• the appearance of nasal discharge,
• development of hypersalivation,
• increased lacrimation.

Lack of sensation in the tongue, lips and chin

With inflammatory damage to the trigeminal nerve, not only the entire nerve can be damaged, but also its individual branches. This is why numbness and pain can occur in various areas of the face. For example, when the lingual branch of the nerve is inflamed, patients complain of pain and sensitivity disturbances in the anterior part of the tongue, and when the mental branch is damaged, in the area of ​​the lips and chin.

Pain when laughing, chewing, brushing teeth and shaving

Pain due to neuritis of the maxillary trigeminal nerve can intensify with touching, chewing, laughing and with changes in temperature. That is why patients, trying to prevent the recurrence of painful attacks, avoid excessive mobility and prolonged conversations, and refuse brushing their teeth and shaving.

Surgery

Certain surgical procedures can help relieve neuralgia pain when the condition does not respond to treatment.

Examples of surgical procedures that may help treat neuralgia include:

Microvascular decompression : Helps remove an enlarged blood vessel affecting a nerve. The procedure involves placing a soft pad between the blood vessel and the affected nerve.

Stereotactic surgery : This is a non-invasive procedure that directs highly concentrated beams into the root of the damaged nerve. The radiation disrupts the transmission of pain signals to the brain.

Percutaneous balloon compression : This involves inserting a small balloon into the affected nerve. The balloon is inflated, causing controlled, deliberate nerve damage. This procedure prevents the affected nerve from sending pain signals to the brain. However, the effects of the procedure usually wear off after 1-2 years.

Treatment of neuritis of the maxillary trigeminal nerve

Therapy

The treatment program for trigeminal neuritis is drawn up taking into account the causes of the disease and its clinical signs. The main goals of treatment are:

• achieving a sensitizing effect;
• fight against bacterial and viral infection;
• increasing the body's immune forces;
• elimination of swelling of the nerve trunk;
• restoration of natural adaptive and compensatory reactions;
• normalization of the patency of nerve impulses.

Healing procedures

The set of procedures aimed at blocking the inflammatory process and eliminating all manifestations of neuritis includes:

• antibacterial therapy;
• antiviral therapy;
• elimination of factors contributing to the occurrence of intoxication;
• removal of tumor-like neoplasms or dissection of adhesions compressing the nerve;
• prescribing vitamin and mineral complexes to the patient;
• stimulation of nerves and muscles;
• acupuncture;
• physiotherapy (electrophoresis, phonophoresis, UHF, ultrasound, paraffin therapy).

People suffering from trigeminal neuritis are advised to regularly visit dental clinics and have their oral cavity sanitized.

Infusions, decoctions, teas

For anti-inflammatory, soothing teas and decoctions, you can use flowers and herbs of St. John's wort, oregano, motherwort, lavender flowers, and valerian roots.

1. In the evening, pour two tablespoons of dried fireweed tea into 500 ml of boiling water, keep in a thermos overnight, and drink the next day.
2. Brew two tablespoons of chamomile flowers with a glass of boiling water (you can use other proportions). This tea has a calming and anti-inflammatory effect.
3. Add 1 teaspoon of honey and 0.2 g of mumiyo to a glass of hot milk. Stir until completely dissolved. Drink before bed.
4. Combine dried marshmallow roots, mint and chamomile in equal proportions. Brew three tablespoons of this mixture with a liter of boiling water in a thermos. After 3 hours, strain and drink half a glass three times a day.
5. Peppermint tea has a good calming effect. To prepare it, add 1 teaspoon of dry mint herb to a glass of boiling water and brew for 15 minutes.

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Causes

Trigeminal neuropathy can be associated with a variety of conditions. Neuropathy can be caused by blood vessel compression on the trigeminal nerve as it exits the brainstem. This compression causes the protective covering around the nerve (myelin sheath) to wear or become damaged. Symptoms of trigeminal neuropathy can also occur in patients with multiple sclerosis, a disease that damages the myelin sheath of the trigeminal nerve. Rarely, symptoms of neuropathy may be due to nerve compression by a tumor or arteriovenous malformation. Damage to the trigeminal nerve (possibly as a result of oral surgery, stroke, or facial trauma) can also lead to neuropathic pain.

Pulpitis and causes of pain

Pulpitis is an inflammation of the internal soft tissues of the tooth, namely the pulp. The cause of inflammation is usually infection. It is expressed, in most cases, by acute throbbing pain and increased sensitivity.

The tooth cavity is initially closed and sterile. If its integrity is violated, penetration and spread of infection occurs.

Causes of pulpitis:

• Caries;
• Mechanical damage to the tooth, trauma. Violation of integrity may lead to infection;
• Low level dental care. Insufficient experience of the attending physician or poor-quality materials can cause inflammation in the soft tissues of the tooth;
• Unprofessional prosthetics, in particular incorrect grinding of the tooth;
• Retrograde infection in the case of osteomyelitis, sinusitis and other diseases;
• Inflammation of the gums;
• Blood poisoning.

Surgical

Sometimes inflammation of the dental nerve requires depulpation. In this case, the inflamed pulp is removed, cleaned and then filled with special preparations. The result of the filling is checked using an x-ray. A temporary filling is installed. And after a few days, if no complications arise, a permanent filling is installed.

Modern medicine has various options for anesthesia. Therefore, this procedure will be comfortable and painless.

In some cases, when significant tooth decay has occurred, it will be necessary to remove it.

Help at home

Acute toothache requires immediate contact with a dental clinic. And home treatments are in no way a substitute for visiting a doctor. They should be used only if the patient is outside the city and there are no medical facilities nearby. Or at night, when you need to wait several hours before seeing a doctor.

First of all, the patient should be offered anti-inflammatory drugs. They also have analgesic and antipyretic effects. Among them are Solpadeine, Nimesulide, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen and their analogues.

Traditional methods of treatment include rinsing with soda solution or chamomile infusion. They have an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect and will help slightly relieve pain.

It is worth remembering that these methods have a temporary effect. They are not curative and do not eliminate the cause of the disease. Therefore, you should not delay contacting a specialist. This will help avoid serious complications and tooth loss.

Pain relief for occipital neuralgia

Damage to the nerve fibers of the cervical plexus - this disease occurs most often due to a complex of dystrophic disorders in the articular cartilage (cervical osteochondrosis). Shooting acute pain, manifested in paroxysms, goes from the neck to the back of the head. Thyme tincture helps to remove it. To do this, pour 50 g of thyme into 100 g of vodka and leave for 5 days. Take 15 drops of the prepared solution orally, after diluting it in 100 g of water, three times a day.

For external use, oil made from fir cones and young shoots is used. The oil is rubbed into the local area of ​​pain using a gauze pad 6–8 times a day. For the same purposes, an infusion of marshmallow root is suitable, which is prepared as follows: 10 g of raw material is crushed and poured into 1 tbsp. warm water, then leave for 6–8 hours. Moisten a soft cloth with the decoction and apply it to the place where the pain is felt the most. A warming bandage is applied on top.

Clinical researches

At the Department of Therapeutic Dentistry of St. Petersburg State Medical University named after. acad. I.P. Pavlova, it was proven that the joint use of Asepta series products can achieve a positive effect. The products can be used either independently in the initial stages of diseases or in combination with medications for severe forms of chronic periodontal diseases.

Considering the therapeutic and prophylactic properties of the Asepta line, experts recommend using them for inflammatory diseases of the oral mucosa, such as catarrhal stomatitis, glossitis and cheilitis.

Sources:

1. The use of new anti-inflammatory drugs in the complex of therapeutic and preventive measures for periodontal diseases (E.D. Kuchumova, A.A. Leontyev, O.V. Kalinina, L.Yu. Orekhova, S.B. Ulitovsky) E.D. Kuchumova, Ph.D., Associate Professor, A.A. Leontyev, dentist, O.V. Kalinina, dentist, L.Yu. Orekhova, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Head of Department, S.B. Ulitovsky, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Prof. Department of Therapeutic Dentistry of St. Petersburg State Medical University named after. acad. I.P. Pavlova
2. The use of drugs from the Asepta line in the complex treatment of inflammatory periodontal diseases (N.V. Berezina E.N. Silantyeva S.M. Krivonos, Kazan State Medical Academy. Kazan.) N.V. BEREZINA, E.N. SILANTIEVA, S.M. KRIVONOS Kazan State Medical Academy
3. Study of the clinical effectiveness of treatment and prophylactic agents of the Asepta line in the treatment of inflammatory periodontal diseases (A.I. Grudyanov, I.Yu. Aleksandrovskaya, V.Yu. Korzunina) A.I. GRUDYANOV, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Prof., Head of Department I.Yu. ALEXANDROVSKAYA, Ph.D. V.Yu. KORZUNINA, asp. Department of Periodontology, Central Research Institute of Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery, Rosmedtekhnologii, Moscow

Diagnosis of the disease

Modern medicine has in its arsenal many diagnostic techniques that make it possible to determine the type of neuralgia and the cause of its occurrence:

• visual examination and questioning of the patient;
• X-ray of the jaw;
• MRI of the brain and blood vessels;
• laboratory analysis of urine and blood;
• electromyography.

Diagnosis is carried out by a neurologist, but additional examinations by other specialists are often required: dentist, ophthalmologist, otolaryngologist. Particular attention is paid to differential diagnosis, since neuralgia may resemble other diseases in its symptoms, in particular glaucoma, otitis media, ethmoiditis, Slader syndrome, etc.

Chronic course of the disease

Chronic disease of the trigeminal nerve occurs in the absence of treatment or an incorrect rehabilitation plan. If you let the process take its course, many complications may arise that are much more difficult to correct.

• Amyotrophy.
• Decreased sensitivity of the skin, lips, gums and tongue.
• The appearance of facial asymmetry.
• Impaired diction, inability to open the jaw normally.
• Problems with vision and hearing.