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How Can You Treat Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia?
Published: Sep 18, 2023
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia causes intense pain, but there are ways to manage it effectively with the right treatment.
Medications for Pain Relief
Initial treatment for GN often involves medications like carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine, which are also used for trigeminal neuralgia. These medications can help reduce pain by stabilizing nerve activity. If these are not effective, other options like gabapentin or pregabalin may be tried.
Surgical Options
For those who do not respond to medication, surgery can be an option. Procedures like microvascular decompression aim to relieve nerve compression and have shown significant success. However, surgery carries risks and should be discussed thoroughly with a specialist.
Managing Associated Symptoms
Some patients experience additional symptoms such as syncope (fainting) due to GN. In such cases, cardiovascular evaluation and possibly a pacemaker might be needed to manage these symptoms effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine are often used first.
Yes, surgeries like microvascular decompression can be effective.
Yes, GN can sometimes lead to syncope.
Yes, alternatives include gabapentin and pregabalin.
Key Takeaways
Effective treatment of GN requires a combination of medications and possibly surgery.
References
- Ekbom KA, Westerberg CE. Carbamazepine in glossopharyngeal neuralgia. Arch Neurol 1966; 14:595.
- Luef G, Poewe W. Oxcarbazepine in glossopharyngeal neuralgia: clinical response and effect on serum lipids. Neurology 2004; 63:2447.
- Reddy GD, Viswanathan A. Trigeminal and glossopharyngeal neuralgia. Neurol Clin 2014; 32:539.
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.
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