Contents
Craniofacial Pain: What You Need to Know
Published: Jan 16, 2024
Craniofacial pain is a complex and challenging condition that affects many people. Understanding its causes and symptoms is crucial for effective management.
Understanding Craniofacial Pain
Craniofacial pain can be daunting to diagnose due to its myriad causes, leading to common misdiagnoses. It includes various types of pain in the head and face, often involving complex neural pathways and requiring careful evaluation.
Common Neuralgias Explained
Neuralgias are characterized by sudden, severe pain along a nerve. Trigeminal neuralgia is a well-known condition, described as electric shock-like pain in the face. Understanding the nuances of different neuralgias is key to effective treatment.
Other Causes of Facial Pain
Beyond neuralgias, facial pain can stem from conditions like optic neuritis, which involves pain behind the eyes, and burning mouth syndrome, which causes a burning sensation without an evident cause. It's important to distinguish between these to ensure proper care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Craniofacial pain refers to pain in the head and face, often involving complex neural pathways.
Trigeminal neuralgia is often described as electric shock-like facial pain.
Burning mouth syndrome is characterized by an oral burning sensation without an identifiable medical cause.
Yes, due to the complexity of neural pathways, misdiagnosis is common.
Key Takeaways
Understanding the complexity of craniofacial pain is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
References
- Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS). The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition. Cephalalgia 2018; 38:1.
- Rowbotham MC. Mechanisms of neuropathic pain and their implications for the design of clinical trials. Neurology 2005; 65:S66.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
AI Doctor Visit Required
Appointments available 24/7
Top licensed doctors
Available in all 50 states
Full service care
Prescriptions, referrals & treatment
No insurance needed
All notes available in Doctronic
15-min consultation. No hidden costs.
AI Doctor Visit Required
Please Chat With Our AI Doctor First
Our AI doctor assessment helps our human doctors prepare for your video visit and provide better care
For safety reasons we have been forced to end this consultation.
If you believe this is a medical emergency please call 911 or your local emergency services immediately.
If you are experiencing emotional distress, please call the the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or your local crisis services immediately.
Contact us
You can also email us at help@doctronic.ai
We aim to reply within 5-7 days
How likely are you to recommend Doctronic to friends or family?