Blog Post

Pain Management Solutions from Jackson Neurosurgery Clinic

Persistent or chronic pain is typically categorized as long-term pain that extends beyond a three-month period. This type of pain can be felt anywhere in the body, including the face. You may experience face pain in the forehead, cheeks, or jaw due to changes in the way your facial nerves transmit signals to your brain, which are then interpreted as pain. While there are some common causes for face pain such as toothaches or sinus congestion, it could also be an indication of more serious underlying health conditions such as heart problems or the chronic pain disorder known as trigeminal neuralgia. If you experience severe or worsening facial pain that does not get better with self-care treatments, contact your healthcare professional immediately.

Categories of Face Pain, Common Problems, and Treatment Options

Whether you feel face pain from a specific area of the face or it radiates from another part of your head, it can often be grouped into one of the following categories:

• Dental Pain – Problems with the teeth and gums
• Nerve Pain – Conditions that affect the facial nerves
• Vascular Pain – Problems related to blood flow and blood vessels
• Temporomandibular Pain – Relates to the temporomandibular joint or the bone that connects your jawbone to the skull

If your face pain is caused by trigeminal neuralgia and it is difficult to manage, it can lead to other side effects such as anxiety and depression. While every individual that experiences face pain is affected differently depending on the cause and symptoms, there are some common problems you may notice if you have chronic face pain including the following:

• Develop a disinterest in activities that were once enjoyable
• Disturbed sleep patterns
• Difficulty when performing basic actions like eating or speaking
• Anxiety over the outlook of your condition
• Losing self-confidence
• Experience heightened feelings of irritability and changes in mood

If you are experiencing any of these problems, talk to your doctor. In order to diagnose face pain, you may be asked more questions about your symptoms and medical history, in addition to requiring a physical exam. Diagnostic imaging tools like CT scans, MRI scans or an X-ray may also be ordered to help determine the cause. While face pain is most often related to headaches or physical injury, other possible causes that are related to nerve disorders should be assessed and treated by a board-certified neurosurgeon.

If your pain cannot be managed using non-surgical treatment methods, discuss your alternative treatment options with Dr. Lewis at Jackson Neurosurgery Clinic. Since 1989, Dr. Lewis has specialized in diagnosing and treating facial pain disorders including trigeminal neuralgia. He has also taught many other neurosurgeons the latest techniques for treating this condition. With over 30 years of experience, he understands how important it is for his patients to be involved in any decisions regarding treatment. He can offer you more than one treatment option, such as medications, microvascular decompression, gamma knife radiation and more, based on your comfort level and what will provide you with the best solution for your specific case.

If you are experiencing chronic face pain, we are here to help. Contact us today at (601) 366-1011 or request an appointment online. We’ll find a solution that works for you!

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