Trigeminal neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia (also called tic douloureux) is one of the most severe pain conditions known. It involves pain events in one side of the face: short, electrifying, intermittent, very severe attacks of pain that may progress into prolonged pain states. Trigeminal neuralgia affects 4-5 people per 100,000, more women than men. The likelihood of developing trigeminal neuralgia increases with age.
Neuralgia occurs in two different forms:
Essential or idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia♦
Attacks of pain lasting a few seconds occur intermittently; they are also called "tic douloureux".


♦ Symptomatic trigeminal neuralgiaThe
pain lasts for a long time, has a penetrating character, and is a symptom or consequence of a superordinate disease.