Frequency
Overall, inflammation of the trigeminal nerve is a disease that affects women more often than men. It is also a clinical picture that occurs more frequently in older people. Most people suffering from inflammation of the trigeminal nerve are between 70 and 80 years old. In total, less than 0.05% of the population is affected by the disease. In Germany, about 3.5 (men) and 5.9 (women) per 100,000 inhabitants are newly affected every year.
Duration and prognosis
The course of the disease of trigeminal neuralgia is progressive in about 2/3 of cases. This means that the disease and its symptoms continue to progress without therapy. However, about 30% of those affected experience only a single episode and are cured after the symptoms have subsided.
The duration of a trigeminal inflammation depends strongly on the cause of the inflammation and the response to treatment. If there is an acute inflammation of the nerve, the chances of a short duration with a complete cure are usually higher than in the case of a long-standing chronic inflammation. The latter can also develop into trigeminal neuralgia, for example.
There are very different reports from people who suffer or have suffered from an inflammation of the trigeminal nerve. For some people, home remedies are already helping to improve the symptoms or even make them disappear. Others suffer from the pain of trigeminal nerve inflammation for years, especially when it develops into trigeminal neuralgia.
In many patients, this can only be treated well with intensive drug therapy, but often remains for a long time. The individual course of the disease can best be assessed by the treating physician. A comprehensive discussion about therapy options and the associated prognosis of the disease should always be conducted with the treating specialist (neurologist).