Home Remedies and Herbs for Neuralgia

Neuralgia is a chronic condition that causes pain in the trigeminal nerve that runs from the face to the brain. Neuralgia usually presents itself in the form of mild attacks that are triggered by activities like teeth brushing. Neuralgia can progress over time causing long-term and severe pain that persists.1

Neuralgia commonly affects more women than men and usually only affects people over the age of 50.1
 
What Causes Neuralgia?

Neuralgia causes are typically linked to some sort of nerve damage that occured due to an underlying condition, complication or injury. Neuralgia is also a symptom that can occur due to aging or as a symptom of multiple sclerosis. Neuralgia symptoms may also be caused by a brain tumor that is placing pressure on the trigeminal nerve.^1,2

Other possible neuralgia causes may include:

• Brain lesions
• Surgical injuries
• Chemical irritation
• Diabetes
• Blood disorders
• Complications from HIV, Lyme disease, syphilis or shingles

Depending on how severe the case is, neuralgia can be triggered by smiling, touching your face, eating and drinking.¹

Neuralgia Symptoms
 
Usually, neuralgia symptoms are characterized by sudden attacks or bouts of pain.^1,2 These neuralgia symptoms may include:

• Stabbing or jolting pain
• Searing pain that feels like an electric shock
• Bursts of pain lasting a few seconds to several minutes
• Chronic aching in the face
• Pain in cheek, jaw, lips, gums, teeth and possibly forehead
• Pain affecting one side of the face

In some cases, these painful attacks may become more frequent and more painful over time.

References

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/trigeminal-neuralgia/symptoms-causes/syc-20353344
2. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001407.htm