Understanding Trigeminal Neuralgia and Treatment Options in San Francisco, California
Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition that can cause severe facial pain, significantly impacting daily life.
In this article, we'll explore its causes, symptoms, and the treatment options available, especially in San Francisco, California.
Table of Contents
What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition affecting the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from your face to your brain.
Even mild stimulation of your face—such as brushing your teeth or putting on makeup—can trigger a jolt of excruciating pain.
Initially, you might experience short, mild attacks, but trigeminal neuralgia can progress, causing longer, more frequent bouts of searing pain.
Women are more likely to develop this condition, and it's more common in people over the age of 50.
Causes of Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia often occurs when a blood vessel presses on the trigeminal nerve as it exits the brainstem.
This compression can wear away the nerve's protective coating (myelin), leading to nerve malfunction.
In some cases, trigeminal neuralgia is caused by multiple sclerosis or a similar disorder that damages the myelin sheath, or by a tumor compressing the trigeminal nerve.
In other instances, a cause cannot be identified.
Symptoms of Trigeminal Neuralgia
Symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia may include:
- Episodes of severe, shooting, or jabbing pain that may feel like an electric shock.
- Spontaneous attacks of pain or attacks triggered by things such as touching the face, chewing, speaking, or brushing teeth.
- Bouts of pain lasting from a few seconds to several minutes.
- Episodes of several attacks lasting days, weeks, months, or longer—some people have periods when they experience no pain.
- Pain in areas supplied by the trigeminal nerve, including the cheek, jaw, teeth, gums, lips, or less often the eye and forehead.
- Pain affecting one side of the face at a time, though may rarely affect both sides of the face.
- Pain focused in one spot or spread in a wider pattern.
- Attacks becoming more frequent and intense over time.
Diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia
Diagnosing trigeminal neuralgia involves a thorough medical history and physical examination.
Doctors may perform tests to determine the underlying cause of your condition, including:
- Neurological examination: Touching and examining parts of your face can help determine exactly where the pain is occurring and—if you seem to have trigeminal neuralgia—which branches of the trigeminal nerve may be affected.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Your doctor may order an MRI scan of your head to determine if multiple sclerosis or a tumor is causing trigeminal neuralgia.
Treatment Options
Several treatment options are available for trigeminal neuralgia, ranging from medications to surgical procedures.
Medications
Anticonvulsant medications are typically the first line of treatment.
Carbamazepine is commonly prescribed and has been shown to be effective in reducing or blocking pain signals.
Other medications that may be used include oxcarbazepine, gabapentin, and baclofen.
Surgical Options
If medications are not effective or cause significant side effects, surgical options may be considered.
These include:
- Microvascular Decompression: This procedure involves relocating or removing blood vessels that are in contact with the trigeminal nerve to stop the nerve from malfunctioning.
- Gamma Knife Radiosurgery: A non-invasive procedure that uses focused radiation to damage the trigeminal nerve and reduce or eliminate pain.
- Radiofrequency Rhizotomy: A procedure that selectively destroys nerve fibers associated with pain.
Each of these procedures has its own risks and benefits, and the choice of treatment depends on individual patient factors.
If you're seeking treatment for trigeminal neuralgia in San Francisco, several top medical institutions specialize in neurological disorders and pain management.
Here are some of the best places for treatment:
🔹 UCSF Medical Center
The UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences offers cutting-edge treatments for trigeminal neuralgia, including microvascular decompression and gamma knife radiosurgery.
They have a team of highly experienced neurologists and neurosurgeons dedicated to treating facial pain disorders.
👉 UCSF Neurosurgery Department🔹 California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC)
CPMC, part of the Sutter Health network, provides advanced neurological care, including surgical and non-surgical options for trigeminal neuralgia patients.
They offer a comprehensive pain management program to help patients cope with chronic facial pain.
👉 CPMC Neurosciences Center🔹 Stanford Health Care (Nearby in Palo Alto)
Although not in San Francisco, Stanford Health Care is a top-tier medical facility offering state-of-the-art treatments for trigeminal neuralgia.
Patients can access specialists in neurosurgery and pain management who use the latest research-based approaches to treatment.
👉 Stanford Neurosurgery DepartmentFinal Thoughts
Trigeminal neuralgia is a complex condition that can significantly impact your quality of life.
Fortunately, with advancements in medical science, there are multiple treatment options available, from medications to surgical interventions.
If you are in the San Francisco area, there are world-class medical centers that specialize in treating this condition, ensuring that you receive the best possible care.
Consult with a specialist to explore the best treatment option for your individual case.
Important Keywords
Trigeminal neuralgia, facial pain, San Francisco, neurosurgery, pain management