TN
Does TN ever go away on its own?
"Sometimes but it is not likely. TN pain typically runs in cycles, and it is common for individuals with TN to experience periods of remission. Remission can last for weeks, months and even years. Over time, the attacks tend to worsen with fewer and shorter pain-free periods."
What does TN stand for?
Trigeminal Neuralgia
( Brown, J. MD, Brazer Ciemnecki, C. (2020). Facial Pain A 21st Century Guide: For People with Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain)
"A purified form of botulinum toxin that, when injected can partially paralyze muscles. Usually used in tightening wrinkled skin, it can help with temporary trigeminal pain relief. "(Brown, Ciemnecki,2020,pg. 274)
Botox
( Brown, J. MD, Brazer Ciemnecki, C. (2020). Facial Pain A 21st Century Guide: For People with Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain)
"Medication used to prevent seizures that are also prescribed for trigeminal neuropathic pain." (Brown, Ciemnecki, 2020, pg. 273)
Anticonvulsants
( Brown, J. MD, Brazer Ciemnecki, C. (2020). Facial Pain A 21st Century Guide: For People with Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain)
"The practice of penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles which are then activated through gentle and specific movements of the practitioner's hands or with electrical stimulation. According to traditional Chinese medicine, disruption of energy flow (Qi, pronounced "chee") through the body can cause disease. Applying technique to certain points is thought to improve the flow of Qui, thereby improving health and decreasing pain." (Brown, Ciemnecki, 2020, pg. 273)
Accupuncture
( Brown, J. MD, Brazer Ciemnecki, C. (2020). Facial Pain A 21st Century Guide: For People with Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain)
Another name for trigeminal neuralgia. Means "painful spasm" in French.
Tic douloureux
( Brown, J. MD, Brazer Ciemnecki, C. (2020). Facial Pain A 21st Century Guide: For People with Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain)
MVD
(Brown, Ciemnecki,2020,pg. 252)
Microvascular decompression (MVD)
( Brown, J. MD, Brazer Ciemnecki, C. (2020). Facial Pain A 21st Century Guide: For People with Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain)
"temperature- monitored heating of the trigeminal nerve fibers." (Brown,Ciemnecki, 2020, pg. 81)
Percutaneous Stereotactic Radiofrequency Rhizotomy
( Brown, J. MD, Brazer Ciemnecki, C. (2020). Facial Pain A 21st Century Guide: For People with Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain)
"Occuring on both sides of the body." (Brown, Ciemnecki, 2020, pg. 274)
Bilateral
( Brown, J. MD, Brazer Ciemnecki, C. (2020). Facial Pain A 21st Century Guide: For People with Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain)
An herbal drug that "contains chemicals called cannabinoids. Cannabinoids affect the central nervous system, which includes the brain and nerves." (Brown, Ciemnecki, 2020, pg. 274)
Cannabis
( Brown, J. MD, Brazer Ciemnecki, C. (2020). Facial Pain A 21st Century Guide: For People with Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain)
Is TN considered a rare disease?
TN is a rare disease, affecting approximately 12 of 100,000 people
"A painful, complex condition often described as a burning, scalding or tingling feeling in the mouth that may occur every day for months or longer. Dry mouth or an altered taste in the mouth may accompany the pain." (Brown, Ciemnecki,2020,pg. 274)
Burning mouth syndrome (BMS)
( Brown, J. MD, Brazer Ciemnecki, C. (2020). Facial Pain A 21st Century Guide: For People with Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain)
"Surgical injury to a nerve"
(Brown, Ciemnecki, 2020, pg.273)
Ablation
( Brown, J. MD, Brazer Ciemnecki, C. (2020). Facial Pain A 21st Century Guide: For People with Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain)
"The process of losing or destroying myelin, the protective sheath around nerve fibers." (Brown, Ciemnecki, 2020 pg. 277)
Demyelination
( Brown, J. MD, Brazer Ciemnecki, C. (2020). Facial Pain A 21st Century Guide: For People with Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain)
"A technique in which people learn to control body functions such as breathing rate, blood pressure, and body temperature by responding to feedback from electrodes that monitor changing body conditions." (Brown, Ciemnecki, 2020, pg. 274)
Biofeedback
( Brown, J. MD, Brazer Ciemnecki, C. (2020). Facial Pain A 21st Century Guide: For People with Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain)
Classic TN is usually unilateral (on one side), occurring bilaterally in approximately what percentage of individuals diagnosed?
"Pain in the temporomandibular joint, sometimes confused with TN" (Brown, Ciemnecki,2020,pg. 288)
TMJ/TMD
( Brown, J. MD, Brazer Ciemnecki, C. (2020). Facial Pain A 21st Century Guide: For People with Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain)
"Form of percutaneous rhizotomy particularly effective for pain involving the upper face (VI). While the patient is under general anesthesia, a needle is advanced to the Gasserian ganglion to allow for the passage of a smaller catheter, fitted with an inflatable balloon. The balloon is inflated to compress and mechanically injure the trigeminal nerve root." (Brown, Ciemnecki, 2020, pg. 274)
Balloon compression rhizotomy
( Brown, J. MD, Brazer Ciemnecki, C. (2020). Facial Pain A 21st Century Guide: For People with Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain)
"Area referring to the lower jaw region of the face." (Brown, Ciemnecki, 2020, pg. 281)
Mandibular
( Brown, J. MD, Brazer Ciemnecki, C. (2020). Facial Pain A 21st Century Guide: For People with Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain)
"The chemical that makes hot peppers hot. Used as a topical cream, it is sometimes used to treat trigeminal neuralgia. (Brown, Ciemnecki, 2020, pg. 275)"
Capsaicin
( Brown, J. MD, Brazer Ciemnecki, C. (2020). Facial Pain A 21st Century Guide: For People with Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain)
When was TN first described in medical literature?
1672
This procedure was "developed by Dr. William H. Sweet, produces a controlled injury to the trigeminal nerve and is therefore able to trade numbness for relief of TN pain. It does so by temperature- monitored heating of the trigeminal nerve fibers. The extent of numbness can vary, but in general, the amount of numbness is proportional to the duration of relief."(Brown, Ciemnecki,2020,pg. 81)
"Percutaneous stereotactic radiofrequency rhizotomy" or (PSR)
( Brown, J. MD, Brazer Ciemnecki, C. (2020). Facial Pain A 21st Century Guide: For People with Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain)
"A fluid composed of mostly water, glucose, salt and proteins that surrounds, cushions, and provides nutrients to the brain and spinal cord." (Brown, Ciemnecki, 2020, pg. 275)
Cerebrospinal fluid (CFS)
( Brown, J. MD, Brazer Ciemnecki, C. (2020). Facial Pain A 21st Century Guide: For People with Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain)
"Pain associated with significant numbness." (Brown, Ciemnecki, 2020, p.273)
Anesthesia dolorosa
( Brown, J. MD, Brazer Ciemnecki, C. (2020). Facial Pain A 21st Century Guide: For People with Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain)
"Pain-killing proteins produced naturally by the body." (Brown, Ciemnecki, 2020 pg. 278)
Endorphins
( Brown, J. MD, Brazer Ciemnecki, C. (2020). Facial Pain A 21st Century Guide: For People with Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain)