Dr. SudheerNeurologist

Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment in New Delhi

Trigeminal neuralgia causes sudden, severe, electric-shock-like pain on one side of the face, often triggered by light touch, chewing, speaking or cold wind. Episodes may last seconds to minutes but can occur many times a day and severely affect eating, grooming and quality of life.

Medically reviewed 2026-08-08 · Dr. Sudheer Pandey, DrNB Neurology

What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Trigeminal neuralgia causes sudden, severe, electric-shock-like pain on one side of the face, often triggered by light touch, chewing, speaking or cold wind. Episodes may last seconds to minutes but can occur many times a day and severely affect eating, grooming and quality of life.

Most cases respond well to medication when started correctly. When pain persists despite treatment, neurologists coordinate advanced options including nerve blocks or referral for microvascular decompression or other neurosurgical procedures in selected patients.

What are the symptoms of Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Common symptoms include the features below. Patterns vary — a neurologist matches your history to the right diagnosis rather than treating a single symptom in isolation.

Sudden electric-shock pain on one side of the face
Pain triggered by touch, chewing or talking
Brief attacks lasting seconds to two minutes
Pain in cheek, jaw or around the eye
Periods of remission between attacks
Avoidance of eating or face washing
No weakness or numbness between attacks
Increasing frequency over time

What causes Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Identifying the cause guides treatment. These are frequent contributors — your evaluation may reveal one factor or a combination.

Vascular Compression

A blood vessel pressing on the trigeminal nerve root is the commonest cause.

Multiple Sclerosis

Demyelination of the nerve root can cause trigeminal neuralgia.

Post-Herpetic Neuralgia

Facial nerve pain after shingles may mimic or overlap.

Dental & Sinus Mimics

Tooth and sinus problems must be excluded before diagnosis.

Secondary Causes

Rare tumours or other lesions need MRI when presentation is atypical.

Idiopathic Cases

No structural cause found on imaging in many patients.

How does Dr. Sudheer treat Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Care is personalised after examination and targeted tests. The usual pathway has three stages:

Diagnosis

Characteristic electric facial pain history, neurological exam to exclude numbness or weakness, and MRI of the trigeminal pathway when indicated.

Treatment Plan

First-line carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine titration, with add-on medicines if needed; dental and sinus mimics are excluded before escalating therapy.

Follow-up

Dose and side-effect review, then discussion of nerve block or neurosurgical referral if breakthrough shocks continue despite optimised medication.

When should I seek urgent care for Trigeminal Neuralgia?

  • Constant pain rather than brief shocks
  • Facial numbness or weakness
  • Pain on both sides of the face
  • Pain with fever, weight loss or neurological signs

Frequently asked questions about Trigeminal Neuralgia

Direct answers patients ask before booking a neurology consultation.

It can feel like tooth pain, but if dental treatment does not help and pain is electric and shock-like, a neurologist should assess for trigeminal neuralgia.

Carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine are usually first choice when tolerated. Doses are started low and adjusted carefully under neurologist supervision to balance pain control with dizziness or drowsiness.

MRI is recommended for most patients to look for vascular compression of the trigeminal nerve or secondary causes, especially if pain is atypical, bilateral or begins under forty years of age.

Options include additional neuropathic drugs, nerve blocks, stereotactic radiosurgery or microvascular decompression — discussed based on your pain pattern, age, MRI findings and surgical fitness.

Suffering from Trigeminal Neuralgia? Get expert help today.

Same-week appointments at MGS Super Speciality Hospital (Punjabi Bagh) and Shree Aggarsain International Hospital (Rohini).

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