TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA: IMPACTS ON QUALITY OF LIFE

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1595112518023

• Palavras-chave: Trigeminal Neuralgia, Quality of Life, Anatomy and Treatment

• Keywords: Trigeminal Neuralgia, Quality of Life, Anatomy and Treatment

• Abstract:

  Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a neurological condition characterized by episodes of intense, paroxysmal pain in the face, related to irritation or compression of the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for facial sensation. This pain is usually triggered by stimuli such as touching, chewing or exposure to wind. The trigeminal nerve has three branches: the ophthalmic (V1), the maxillary (V2) and the mandibular (V3), and the disease can affect any of these branches. Objective: To describe trigeminal neuralgia, with an emphasis on its impact on patients' quality of life and to discuss possible treatments. Methodology: This is a Literature Review including studies from the PubMed, UpToDate and Scielo platforms from the last 5 years. The descriptors used were "trigeminal neuralgia", "quality of life" and "treatment". Results and Discussion: Chronic pain associated with TN has a significant psychological impact on patients' lives, such as the development of anxiety and depression due to constant suffering. In addition, the unpredictability of crises can limit daily activities such as eating, personal hygiene and communication, leading to social isolation and reduced productivity at work. Sleep quality can also be compromised due to episodes of nocturnal pain, resulting in fatigue and decreased general well-being. Carbamazepine (CBZ) remains the treatment of choice for trigeminal neuralgia, showing good results in many patients by reducing the intensity of the pain. In cases where medication is not effective or has side effects, surgical options such as microvascular decompression may be indicated. Conclusion: TN, which has an annual incidence of 4.3 per 100,000 in the general population, affects patients' mental health due to its intense pain episodes. From this perspective, we conclude that the management of trigeminal neuralgia should consider not only pain control, but also strategies to minimize the emotional and social impacts of the condition. Multidisciplinary approaches, including psychological support and complementary therapies, are essential to ensure better adaptation to the disease and promote a better quality of life for patients.