Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day: Symptoms and Treatments

Sometimes described as the most excruciating pain a person can experience, trigeminal neuralgia is a debilitating facial nerve disorder. October 7 is recognized as International Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day, a time to highlight this debilitating condition and encourage those who experience symptoms to seek an expert opinion, as many cases of TN are frequently misdiagnosed.

TN can occur when a blood vessel compresses the trigeminal nerve, one of the largest nerves in the head. Symptoms of the condition include episodes of intense electroshock-like, stabbing or burning sensations in the face that can be triggered by the slightest touch or even common actions like chewing or talking. Treatments for TN can include powerful pain-killing medications, surgery and stereotactic radiosurgery.

Oklahoma CyberKnife has treated a large number of TN patients since opening in 2008 and Medical Director Diane Heaton has conducted research on the effectiveness of stereotactic radiosurgery in alleviating patients’ pain. She was the first physician to perform radiosurgery in the state of Oklahoma and is a nationally recognized expert on the treatment of TN.

Check out our presentation below to learn more about TN, treatment options and how we treat patients with this condition.

This is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your health care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions, together with your doctor.