Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital: Effective treatment of trigeminal neuralgia

Thanh Hien• January 13, 2020 15:52

(Baonghean) - Along with treating diseases such as herniated disc, stroke, sciatica... and recovering from traumatic brain injury, after accidents... recently, Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital has effectively treated many patients with trigeminal neuralgia.

Unforeseeable consequences of trigeminal neuralgia

The V nerve (number 5), also known as the trigeminal nerve, is one of the main nerve organs located on the face of each person. This nerve has three branches on each half of the face, distributed symmetrically.

The V nerve originates from the brain, follows the path in front of the ear and then reaches the face. From the three main branches, there are many small branches that divide in many directions. The three main branches of the V nerve (including the V1 branch: reaching the scalp, forehead, and around the eyes; the V2 branch: reaching the cheek area; the V3 branch: reaching the jaw area). The V nerve has the function of supporting muscle control, creating chewing movements, and controlling the production of saliva and tears.

Giáo sư tiến sỹ Cao Minh Châu nguyên Chủ nhiệm bộ môn PHCN Đại học Y Hà Nội, Tổng Thư ký Hội PHCN Việt Nam hướng dẫn điều trị tại Bệnh viện PHCN Nghệ An. Ảnh Thành Cường (2)

Professor, Doctor Cao Minh Chau, former Head of the Department of Rehabilitation, Hanoi Medical University, General Secretary of the Vietnam Rehabilitation Association, guides treatment at Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Trigeminal neuralgia is caused by damage to one, two, or all three of these nerve branches. The V2 and V3 branches are more likely to be affected than the V1 branch. It usually occurs after the age of 60, and women are more likely to have the condition than men. Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition. If you have trigeminal neuralgia, even a slight stimulation of the face (such as brushing your teeth or applying makeup) can trigger a sudden onset of pain.

Trigeminal neuralgia. Illustration

Talking with Dr. Thai Thi Xuan - Director of Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital, it is known: "Some people confuse trigeminal neuralgia with toothache or headache. People often think that facial pain is caused by teeth, especially when the pain seems to originate from the gums or is located near the teeth. Or it is also possible to interpret facial pain caused by trigeminal neuralgia as related to headache. Therefore, if you have facial pain and have the above symptoms, especially if the pain is prolonged or does not go away when using painkillers, you should see a doctor. And patients should not be subjective because trigeminal neuralgia brings sudden facial pain and increasing intensity.

Doctors and nurses treat patients at Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital. Photo: Duc Anh

These pains cause discomfort and fatigue to the patient, directly affecting the patient's life, making the patient unable to concentrate and decline in work. The pains caused by trigeminal neuralgia often appear irregularly, so the patient does not have timely measures to deal with these pains. The longer it is left, the worse the disease progresses, the more pains occur, and the duration of the pain also increases. Treatment also becomes difficult when the disease has reached a severe stage.

Treatment methods

Recently, Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital has received and treated many cases of patients with trigeminal neuralgia.

I had pain in my eyes, lower cheeks, lips and jaw. The pain came in waves every day, and it got worse and worse. I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia and was given medication, but the pain only subsided for a while and then returned. I had difficulty eating and speaking because of the pain, so all activities in life became very tiring. Recently, I learned that the Rehabilitation Hospital was very effective in treating this disease, so I came here for treatment. After 1 week of being cared for by the doctors and nurses here, my condition showed signs of improvement. The pain was less frequent and the frequency of each attack was reduced. In particular, I no longer had pain when talking or eating, so my health gradually stabilized.

Patient Nguyen Thi Troi (54 years old) in Quynh Luu district.

Recently, I learned that the Rehabilitation Hospital is very effective in treating this disease, so I came here for treatment. After 1 week of being cared for by the doctors and nurses here, my condition has shown signs of improvement. The pain has become less frequent, and the frequency of each attack has decreased. In particular, I no longer have pain when talking or eating, so my health has gradually stabilized."

Doctor Thai Thi Xuan - Director of Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital said: "To effectively treat trigeminal neuralgia, the doctor will first diagnose trigeminal neuralgia mainly based on the patient's description of the pain, including: Pain nature: sudden and short-lived; Pain location: the areas on the face affected by the pain will help the doctor diagnose more easily; Pain onset circumstances: usually mild stimulation on both cheeks such as eating, talking.

Patients before and after treatment of the fifth cranial nerve.

In addition, the doctor may perform some other tests to diagnose trigeminal neuralgia and to find the underlying causes of the disease. The tests usually include: Neurological examination: touching and examining each area of the face will help the doctor determine exactly where the pain occurs and which branch of the trigeminal nerve is affected. Reflex testing also helps the doctor determine if the symptoms are caused by nerve compression or by other causes. MRI scan of the brain to determine if there is a tumor causing trigeminal neuralgia.

In some cases, your doctor may inject a dye into your bloodstream to see your arteries and veins more clearly. (MRI, or vascular MRI.) Facial pain can have many different causes, so it is important to get an initial diagnosis. Your doctor may want to do some additional tests to rule out other causes of your pain.

In addition to treating trigeminal neuralgia, the hospital is currently treating diseases such as herniated discs, rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury, stroke, neurological diseases, bones, joints, autism in children...

Nghe An Rehabilitation Hospital provides effective treatment thanks to the accurate diagnosis of the cause of trigeminal neuralgia. From there, there are treatment measures using injections and acupuncture on the acupuncture points that affect the cause of the disease. Combining physical therapy and traditional medicine in a smooth way, massage, acupressure, acupuncture, electroacupuncture...

The most important thing is to detect the root cause by careful, meticulous clinical examination and experience. In general, if treated promptly and appropriately, trigeminal neuralgia often gives positive results and can be completely cured.

With the spirit: "All for patient satisfaction".

Is "Where patients place their trust".

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Address: No. 220, Binh Minh Street, Cua Lo Town, Nghe An.

Clinic Phone: 02383.922.922

24/7 hotline: 02383.922.922

Hotline: 0966.251.414; 0912.002.210

Director's phone number: 0912.487.568.

Thanh Hien