Why is Trigeminal Neuralgia Often Misdiagnosed? 

Dr.Madhukar Bhardwaj, 2 mins read

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), also known as tic douloureux, is a chronic pain condition which affects the trigeminal nerve. The nerve carries sensation from the face to the brain is a nerve disorder. People with TN feel sudden electric shock-like pain on one side of the face, which usually lasts from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. The pain is triggered by simple things like brushing teeth, touching the face, or even wind blowing.

In the beginning, it may happen once in a while, but over time, the episodes become more frequent and intense. It mainly affects people over 50 years of age and is more common in women than men. 

Why is it Often Misdiagnosed?

Trigeminal neuralgia is often mistaken for other problems. Some of the common misdiagnoses are:

• Toothache: Most of the people visit a dentist first, thinking they have a toothache. They may even get unnecessary tooth extractions.
• Sinus infections: As the pain is around the cheek or forehead, some doctors may think it’s a sinus issue.
• Migraine or cluster headaches: The severe nature of the pain can lead doctors to believe it’s a type of headache.
• Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ): This is a jaw joint disorder that also causes facial pain.

Why the Confusion Happens?

1. Symptoms Are Consistent

Trigeminal neuralgia pain is not always present. It comes in short bursts. This can confuse both patients and doctors. A condition that causes severe pain but disappears quickly may not seem serious.

2. Pain Mimics Other Conditions

The pain often feels like a dental or sinus problem. Many patients first visit a dentist, and if the dentist is not familiar with TN, the real cause can be missed.

3. Lack of Awareness

All the doctors are not trained to recognize TN right away. It is not as common as other conditions that cause facial pain.

4. No Specific Test

There is no single test to diagnose trigeminal neuralgia. It is dependent on symptoms and medical history. 

What Can Be Done?

1. If you or someone you know has sharp facial pain, ask to see a neurologist. They are trained to deal with nerve-related issues and are more likely to recognize TN.
2. Whenever the pain occurs, note it down when it lasts, and what triggers it. This information can help doctors understand the pattern and make a correct diagnosis.
3. Awareness about TN can help in explaining symptoms better. The more clearly we describe our pain, the easier it is for doctors to identify the problem.

Takeaway!

Trigeminal neuralgia is a serious but treatable condition. The biggest challenge is getting the right diagnosis. Many people go through years of unnecessary treatments before finding out what’s really wrong. If you have any such symptoms, don’t delay. Consult our experts at Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka, Sector -3 to get the best diagnosis and treatments.