There are several causes of facial pain, ranging from a single blow, sinus infections, dental abscesses, as well as headaches, temporomandibular joint dysfunction ( ATM) or even tri-twin neuralgia, which is a pain that occurs in a facial nerve and is very strong.
If facial pain is severe, constant, or frequent, it is recommended to consult a family doctor or physician for initial assessments and, if necessary, to order tests to identify the causes of the discomfort, then indicate treatment or referral to a specialist.
- Generally.
- The location of the face where pain appears and the presence of associated symptoms.
- Such as a crack in the jaw.
- Tooth pain.
- Change in vision.
- Ear pain or nasal discharge.
- For example.
- Can give your doctor advice about what it is.
- Is.
- Facilitating research.
Despite the myriad causes of facial pain, here are some of the main
Tri-twin neuralgia is a dysfunction that causes severe pain in the face, which appears suddenly, such as an electric shock or a prick, caused by a nerve injury called tri-twin, which sends branches to help chew and tender the face. .
What to do: Treatment is indicated by the neurologist, usually with antiepileptic drugs, which act to control episodes of nerve pain. In cases where there is no improvement with medication treatment, surgery may be indicated. Better understand treatment options for tri-twin neuralgia.
Sinusitis, or rhinoinusitis, is the infection of the sinuses, which are air-filled cavities between the bones of the skull and face and communicate with the nostrils.
The infection is usually caused by viruses or bacteria and can only reach one or both sides of the face. The pain often resembles a feeling of heaviness, which worsens as the face drops, and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as headache, runny nose, cough, bad breath, loss of smell and fever.
What to do: The infection lasts a few days and some of the doctor’s instructions are nasal washing, pain relievers, rest and hydration. If you suspect a bacterial infection, antibiotics are recommended. Learn more about symptoms and treating sinusitis.
Headache can also cause facial sensitivity, which can occur in cases of migraine, where there are dysfunctions of the nervous system, or tension headache, in which there is an increase in the sensitivity of the muscles of the head and neck by tension.
Facial pain is also characteristic of a specific type of headache, called cluster headache, which is characterized by very severe pain on one side of the skull and face, accompanied by redness or swelling of the eye, watery eyes and nasal discharge.
Cluster headaches often occur in seizures that can occur at certain times of the year or come and go periodically, however, although it is known that there is a link with the nervous system, the exact causes that lead them on their onset are not yet fully understood..
What to do: Treating headaches is guided by your neurologist and includes medications such as pain relievers.In the case of cluster headaches, oxygen inhalation or a medicine called sumatriptan to control seizures is also indicated.Learn more about features and how to treat them.cluster headaches.
Inflammation of the tooth, such as periodontitis, a fractured tooth, deep decay that affects the nerves of the tooth, or even a tooth abscess, can cause pain that can also radiate to the face.
What to do: in these cases the treatment is indicated by the dentist, with techniques such as cleaning, treatment of ducts and the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory, for example.Learn more about treating cavities.
Also known by the acronym TMD or TMJ bread, this syndrome occurs due to a joint disorder that connects the jaw to the skull, causing signs and symptoms such as chewing pain, headache, facial pain, difficulty opening the mouth and creaking in the mouth.jaw, for example.
Problems that prevent the proper functioning of this joint can cause TMD, and one of the most common causes is bruxism, having had a blow to the area, changes in the teeth or a bite and the habit of biting the nails, for example.
What to do: the treatment is guided by the oral-maxillary surgeon, and in addition to analgesics and muscle relaxants, it is also indicated the use of somieres, braces, physiotherapy, relaxation techniques or, eventually, even surgery.for ATM pain.
Temporary arteritis is vascularitis, a disease that causes inflammation of the blood vessels from autoimmune causes and mainly affects people over the age of 50.
Symptoms may include headaches, tenderness in the area where the temporal artery passes, which may be on the right or left side of the skull, pain and stiffness of the body muscles, weakness and spasms of the chewing muscles, as well as a lack of appetite. , fever and, in the most severe cases, eye problems and vision loss.
What to do: Once the disease is suspected, the rheumatologist will recommend treatment, especially with corticosteroids, such as prednisone, which can decrease inflammation, relieve symptoms and properly control the disease.Confirmation of temporary arteritis is done by clinical evaluation, blood tests, and a temporary artery biopsy.Learn more about symptoms and treatment of temporary arteritis.
Inflammation of the ear, caused by ear infections, wounds or abscesses, for example, can cause pain that radiates to the face, making it more sensitive.
Inflammation of the eyes, especially when it is severe, such as inflammation cellulite, blepharitis, eye herpes or even a blow, can also cause pain in the eyes and face.
What to do: the ophthalmologist’s assessment is necessary, if the pain begins in one or both eyes and also in the otorin, if the pain begins in the ear or is accompanied by dizziness or tinnitus.
Also known as atypical facial pain, it is a rare condition that causes pain in the face but does not yet have a clear cause and is believed to be related to changes in facial nerve sensitivity.
The pain can be moderate to severe and usually appears on one side of the face and can be continuous or intermittent. It can be aggravated by stress, fatigue or associated with other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, lbp, headaches, anxiety and depression.
What to do: there is no specific treatment, and can be achieved with the combination of antidepressant use and psychotherapy, indicated by the doctor after research and exclusion of other causes.