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Dr. Weeks describes trigeminal neuralgia.
Dr. Weeks:
Trigeminal neuralgia is a very, very important discussion to have and a very important disease to discuss. Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition that affects one of the major sensory nerves that travels to your face. It’s basically a disease where that nerve is being stimulated or irritated, and the result is an incredibly painful, incredibly uncomfortable condition for the patient.
It’s caused in a classic situation by a blood vessel that travels near the nerve, causing a compression of that nerve. Once that nerve has become irritated by that blood vessel, the nerve becomes irritated or angry and sends a series of signals throughout its course.
Unfortunately for the patient, that nerve travels to the face and to the surrounding head and neck structures and has a huge distribution of sensation. With the pain that results can be some of the most uncomfortable pain and some of the most unusual pain that a patient will ever feel.
Other things that can cause a trigeminal neuralgia or trigeminal irritation are things such as procedures done in the teeth, procedures done in the face, whether it be injections or resections or removals of substances. Anything that’s done in those facial areas where the trigeminal nerve runs can theoretically irritate that nerve. Once that nerve is irritated, it’s again a very, very uncomfortable, disagreeable condition for the patient.
About Dr. Weeks, M.D.:
Dr. Brian Weeks specializes in diseases of the ear, nose, throat, as well as tumors of the head and neck region, including thyroid, parathyroid, and skull base tumors. He has advanced specialty training in endoscopic sinus surgery, and is a national/international leader in balloon sinuplasty surgery. Additionally, Dr. Weeks has expertise in minimally invasive surgeries of the head and neck, as well as head and neck reconstruction. His role in reconstruction of the head and neck includes management of skin cancers, facial defects and blemishes, and cosmetic imperfections. He also provides extensive knowledge in skin care, facial peels, and facial care products.