The symptoms

An inflammation of the nerves in the face can be recognized by various symptoms. Both the classic trigeminal neuralgia and other facial neuralgia are usually accompanied by severe pain in certain areas of the face or in the entire face. The accompanying symptoms, the character and the localization of the pain can be differentiated in the different types of facial neuralgia.

In a classic trigeminal neuralgia, an extremely strong, electrifying pain in the area of the face occurs spontaneously or through irritation. The pain attack lasts only a few seconds. It is extremely rare that it lasts for minutes.

In the middle of a pain attack, the facial muscles in the area supplied by the affected nerve branch may twitch involuntarily. Experts describe this twitching as a clonic-tonic muscle movement. After the pain attack, the corresponding area is no longer excitable for seconds to minutes.

This means that immediately after a pain attack no further attack can be induced. In symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia, the same seizure-like pain attacks are present as in classic trigeminal neuralgia. However, in the symptomatic form there is often no freedom from pain between attacks.

In addition, the symptomatic form of trigeminal neuralgia results in a weakened reflex in the eyes (so-called corneal reflex) as well as paralysis and sensitivity disorders. Atypical facial pain is characterized by its non-seizure-like, dull, piercing pain character in the area supplied by the trigeminal nerve. Often the pain lasts for most of the day and is particularly severe in one eye, nose or cheek.

In the later course of the disease, however, atypical facial pain can also spread to the entire face, the hairy head and the neck. It is also typical that in this form there are no trigger points and no loss of sensitivity. Glossopharyngeal neuralgia can be recognized by a usually seizure-like pain in the base of the tongue, in the area of the palatal tonsils or in the middle ear with pain radiating into the throat.

In addition, uncontrolled tearing of the eyes, coughing, taste disorders, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing and speaking, limited tongue mobility, dry mouth and throat can often occur. In addition, a drop in blood pressure, cardiovascular problems and temporary fainting and unconsciousness can occur at about 10%.In addition, zoster ophthalmicus can develop in the context of a herpes infection. This means an inflammation of the nerves in the face, which manifests itself in the eye area and is triggered by herpes viruses.

This type of nerve inflammation is characterized by atypical facial pain, sensory disturbances and visible herpes blisters. Inflammation of the facial nerves can cause temporary paralysis of the facial muscles. The condition is that motor facial nerve fibers are excessively irritated or damaged.

Symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia can cause corresponding temporary or prolonged facial paralysis. There are various diseases that can cause this. These include certain forms of migraine, certain types of cancer that are localized in the area of the face, metastases from other primary tumors, a tumor of the cerebellar bridge angle, circulatory disorders, multiple sclerosis and some other diseases.

An occurring facial paralysis should always be clarified by a physician. A neurologist can best determine the causes and whether the facial paralysis is temporary or permanent. He or another doctor can also initiate appropriate drug and non-drug treatment in the form of occupational, physiotherapy and speech therapy.

The pain of facial nerve inflammation is often very severe. Some patients speak of a devastating pain. Depending on the cause of the nerve inflammation and its form, the pain is expressed as a seizure or non-seizure with corresponding accompanying symptoms.