Ouch! That shooting pain in the face

Nagpur: The six months of total and partial lockdown, uncertainty, financial and job stress due to Covid-19 are throwing up different types of ailments. Chronic pain-related problems have bounced back in many patients.
“During the pandemic, complaints of facial pain has significantly increased with higher stress levels being the foremost reason,” said pain management specialist Dr Sunita Lawange.
Adding that most of “us continue to face a lot of stress due to the uncertainty of this pandemic”, Dr Lawange said, “Stress is one of the most common predisposing factor and stimulus to cause pain. Many patients of neuropathic face pain (known as Trigeminal neuralgia or TN) have attempted suicides due to unbearable pain.”
In TN, patients often suffer long stretches of frequent pain attacks followed by weeks, months or even years of little or no pain. “We have noticed that the attacks have intensified in patients during Covid-19 time and the pain-free periods have grown shorter,” said Dr Lawange.
The pain typically begins with a sensation of electrical shocks that culminates in an excruciating stabbing sensation within less than 20 seconds.
According to Indian Society for Study of Pain, the cause of this pain usually is due to contact between a healthy artery or vein and the trigeminal nerve at the base of the brain. This places pressure on the nerve as it enters the brain and causes the nerve to misfire (known as ‘tic douloureux). The pain often leaves patients with uncontrollable facial twitching and is said to be the most excruciating pain known to humanity.
The intense flashes of pain can be triggered by vibration or contact with the cheek such as when shaving, washing the face, applying make-up, brushing teeth, eating, drinking, talking or being exposed to the wind.
People with TN avoid social contact and daily activities such as eating and talking because they fear an attack. Pain from TN is very isolating and depressing for the individual. Many develop suicidal thoughts due to this pain. Doctors said that correct and early diagnosis, and management is the first line treatment of the disease.
“Following the circadian rhythm of life by keeping a structured routine, maintaining a healthy diet, proper hydration, meditation and exercise can keep any pain related ailment in control. Medical, surgical and radiosurgical options are also available in treatment,” said Dr Lawange.
ALL ABOUT TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA
Intermittent electric jolt-like pain on one side of face
Pain around the eye, over the cheek or around the mouth, nose or jaw
Caused by trigeminal nerve dysfunction, more common on right side of face
1,50,000 people are diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia every year
Can occur at any age, most common in people over the age of 50
More common in women