Atypical facial pain is generally described as unusual and often complex pain felt in the facial area. These pains are often difficult to diagnose. Atypical facial pain can severely affect the quality of life of patients and may require long-term treatment. In this article, detailed information about the causes, symptoms, and treatment methods of atypical facial pain will be provided.
What are the Causes of Atypical Facial Pain?
The exact causes of atypical facial pain are not fully known, but several factors are thought to play a role:
- Nerve Damage: Damage to the nerves in the facial area can lead to atypical facial pain. Nerve entrapments, traumas, or damage to the nerves as a result of surgical interventions can be effective in the occurrence of these types of pain.
- Psychological Factors: Psychological conditions such as stress, anxiety, and depression can affect pain perception and tolerance. These conditions can cause facial pain to be felt more severely.
- Dental Problems: Pain originating from the teeth can sometimes spread to other areas of the face and be perceived as atypical facial pain. Such pains can be seen especially after dental infections and tooth extractions.
- Muscle Tension: Tensions in the facial and jaw muscles can cause pain by affecting the nerves.
What are the Symptoms of Atypical Facial Pain?
Atypical facial pain generally manifests with the following symptoms:
- Continuous or intermittent pain on one or both sides of the face
- Sharp, burning, or stabbing pain
- Increased pain during touching, chewing, or talking
- Numbness or tingling sensation in the face
How is the Diagnosis of Atypical Facial Pain Made?
The diagnosis of atypical facial pain usually requires a comprehensive medical evaluation. Doctors thoroughly assess the patient's medical history and symptoms. In addition, the following diagnostic methods can be used:
- Neurological Examination: Tests to evaluate nerve functions
- Imaging Methods: Methods such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) to detect abnormalities that may occur in the nerves or bones
- Dental Examination: Examinations to rule out pain originating from the teeth
What are the Treatment Methods for Atypical Facial Pain?
The treatment of atypical facial pain generally requires a multidisciplinary approach and is customized according to the patients' needs:
- Medication Therapy: Pain relievers, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and other medications can be used to alleviate pain.
- Physical Therapy: Physical therapy methods can be applied to relax the facial muscles and improve nerve functions.
- Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy methods such as cognitive-behavioral therapy can be used for the management of stress and anxiety.
- Interventional Pain Treatments: Various injections, nerve blocks, and radiofrequency treatments can be applied according to the type and area of the pain.
- Surgical Intervention: Surgical interventions may be required in cases of severe nerve damage or entrapment. The aim is to release the nerves or repair nerve damage using microsurgical techniques.
- Alternative Therapies: Alternative treatment methods such as acupuncture, massage therapy, and biofeedback can also be used to alleviate pain.
What is the Role of Pain Specialists in the Treatment of Atypical Facial Pain?
Pain specialists play an important role in the treatment of atypical facial pain. Here are our tasks and contributions as Pain Specialists:
- Diagnosis and Evaluation: We evaluate the medical history, symptoms, and physical examinations to determine the causes of atypical facial pain. During this process, we use various tests and imaging techniques to identify the source of the pain and rule out other possible causes.
- Treatment Plan: We create an appropriate treatment plan according to the patient's level of pain, quality of life, and overall health status.
- Medication Therapy: We try to alleviate pain by using medications such as pain relievers, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and other drugs.
- Interventional Pain Treatments: We can use these methods in patients who do not respond to medical treatments. We apply various injections, nerve blocks, and radiofrequency treatments according to the shape and area of the pain.
- Education and Support: As pain specialists, we help the patient acquire the necessary information and skills to manage pain. We also ensure communication with the patient's family and environment and provide support.
In this way, as pain specialists, we contribute to managing the patient's pain problems and improving their quality of life by providing a comprehensive approach to the treatment of atypical facial pain.
Assoc. Dr. Tülin ARICI
Pain Specialist (Algology)
