Attacks of pain may occur several times a day for weeks or months. They occur triggered by stimuli such as chewing or brushing teeth, but also from complete rest. In between, there are phases that are free of pain attacks.
The following symptoms and complaints may indicate trigeminal neuralgia:
General symptoms
- Pain (sudden onset, tearing, and burning pain) in the area supplied by the trigeminal nerve (cheek/lower jaw/chin area), usually unilateral; duration: a few seconds to a maximum of 2 minutes
- Tic douloudeux – contractions (tension) of the facial muscles.
- Redness of the face
- Tear flow
- Sweating
Idiopathic
- Spontaneous attacks of pain lasting a few seconds to two minutes.
- Triggering of attacks by stimuli – e.g., cold, sneezing, eating, talking, swallowing, touching certain areas of the skin (trigger zones).
- Between attacks no pain
- Hyperpathy – hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli.
- Hyperesthesia – hypersensitivity to touch, pain and temperature.
- Nerve exit points are sensitive to pressure pain
Symptomatic
- Pain may be bilateral, especially in the area supplied by the ophtalmic nerve
- Continuous pain (chronic, pulling pain) possible with nerve damage.
- Sensory disturbances
- Neurological deficits (nerve failures)
Warning signs (red flags) for the presence of secondary forms of trigeminal neuralgia
- Onset before the age of forty
- Symptomatology in the area of the first branch of the trigeminal nerve.
- Bilateral symptomatology
- Marked sensory disturbances in the affected area
- Other neurological symptoms (e.g., hearing loss).
- Other warning signs see below cephalgia (headache).
Note: Secondary forms of trigeminal neuralgia may be clinically indistinguishable from primary forms.
