Knowledge Base

Posted on Jan 30, 2011

Multiple sclerosis (MS) can cause a variety of neurological symptoms depending on the localization of lesions including visual dysfunction (optic neuritis), sensory or motor symptoms and cognitive dysfunction. Pain is estimated to occur in 29–86% of MS patients [1,2]. Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), neuropathic and somatic pain are reported to be associated with MS [3,4]. Studies, investigating the association of MS and headache have produced conflicting results. Lifetime prevalence of headache was reported between 4% and 58% [5–7].

Posted on Jan 22, 2011

Headache has been described as the most common medical complaint known to man. • The majority of patients presenting with headache and chronic facial pain have a normal neurological examination. • The International Classification of Headache Disorders (2005) classifies headache into 14 main categories and more than 300 headache disorders. • Migraine management includes correct diagnosis, explanation, reassurance, predisposing/trigger identification and avoidance, and drug/non-drug intervention. • Multidisciplinary management of headache and chronic facial pain is of major importance. This article explores headache and chronic facial pain disorders that commonly present to the chronic pain clinician.

Posted on Jan 18, 2011

Even with drugs, surgery, complementary therapies, and more, facial neuralgia patients often report that they still have pain that is triggered by certain activities, environmental conditions, and food. Although there have been no specific dietary studies on neuropathic facial pain, it seems to make good sense to cut back on anything that stimulates the central nervous system. The last thing you want to do is further excite an already hyper-excited trigeminal nerve.

Posted on Jan 18, 2011

In the world of TN, there have been no specific dietary studies – conflicting or otherwise. TN is just not common enough to justify the kind of large and costly studies that are done in more widespread problems such as heart disease and diabetes. That leaves practitioners and individual patients to look for bits of information that seem to make sense. One approach is to focus on nutrients that have an effect on the nervous system in general. Another is to try nutrients or diets that seem to help other pains or somewhat related conditions such as multiple sclerosis.

Posted on Jan 15, 2011

Right Ear:
Triggers- wind, talking, eating, smiling, loud music, bright lights, applying make up.
Description of Pain: Stabbing, Sharp knife, deep in ear. Sometimes burning.
Frequency: frequent. Varies by location.
#: sometimes 5 , 10, 7