Q I'm in my 30s, both sides of my face hurt, and I sometimes have numbness in my hands and feet. Is this trigeminal neuralgia?
A Bilateral trigeminal neuralgia, especially in those under 30, can be a sign of a neurological disorder such as multiple sclerosis (MS), so you must first undergo imaging (MRI) examination by a neurologist.
Detailed Answer
Typical trigeminal neuralgia usually occurs in people over 50 on one side of the face. If you are under 30, or have pain on both sides of the face along with other neurological symptoms such as numbness in the hands and feet, visual disturbances, or balance problems, it may be an early symptom of a cranial nerve disorder such as multiple sclerosis (MS), so immediate neurology consultation and MRI examination are essential.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
At Dongjedang, in such cases we first guide you to receive an accurate diagnosis of the cause from a neurologist or neurosurgeon. After it is confirmed that it is not multiple sclerosis, we recommend proceeding with Korean medicine treatment for pain management alongside conventional care. Starting treatment without knowing the cause is not appropriate.
Related FAQs
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Q
The pain is so severe that I can't eat or speak. Is it realistically possible to get my daily life back with Korean medicine?
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I can't tell whether it's trigeminal neuralgia or a TMJ disorder. My jaw area hurts and makes sounds when I chew—can they occur together?
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Since developing trigeminal neuralgia, my headaches and anxiety have also gotten worse. I can't tell whether it's caused by the pain or a separate problem.
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I'm so afraid of an attack that I don't even want to talk or eat. How can I reduce attacks in daily life?
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The severe pain keeps me from sleeping, and I feel depressed and anxious. Do sleep and stress management affect trigeminal neuralgia too?
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