How to Alleviate Pain Caused by Trigeminal Neuralgia
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How to Alleviate Pain Caused by Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia is often referred to as the “suicide disease” because of how severe the pain can be. Fortunately, there is a variety of treatments that can be used to reduce the pain associated with trigeminal neuralgia.
Medications
Medication is the most common and effective way to treat trigeminal neuralgia. Anticonvulsants and other medications designed to prevent seizures and treat nerve pain may be prescribed. Antidepressants are also useful in treating trigeminal neuralgia. Your doctor can also provide medication that is specifically designed for nerve pain.
Procedural Treatments
If medications alone aren’t successful at relieving your trigeminal neuralgia, your doctor may suggest one of several procedural treatments. These include:
- Gamma knife radiosurgery
- Neuromodulation therapies
- Percutaneous nerve ablation
- Microvascular decompression of cranial nerve V
Self-Care Methods
Self-care methods can be used to reduce the pain of trigeminal neuralgia and to manage the condition long-term. These include:
- Managing stress levels
- Getting plenty of rest
- Avoiding activities that can worsen nerve pain
- Using cold or heat therapy on affected area
- Taking regular breaks from activities
- Using biofeedback to relax facial muscles
By following the above steps, individuals with trigeminal neuralgia can find relief from this painful condition.