What is trigeminal neuralgia? Trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological disease in which irritation or pressure on the trigeminal nerve (the fifth cranial nerve exiting the skull) pathway causes a stabbing pain in the cheek, eye, and lower part of the face. The pain is usually located on only one side of the face. In addition to pain, there may be tingling and numbness. Trigeminal neuralgia is more common in people older than 50 years of age, in women, and in people who have multiple sclerosis. Trigeminal neuralgia commonly results from pressure exerted on the trigeminal nerve by a swollen blood vessel. However, any structure, such as a tumor or swelling that irritates or compresses the trigeminal nerve, may cause trigeminal neuralgia. Risk factors include exposure to chemicals or diseases that impair the nervous system. The signs and symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia can last from hours to days. However, the duration and course of the disease vary from person to person. Some people with trigeminal neuralgia have symptoms that occur infrequently and are not severe, whereas others may have symptoms that are so severe and frequent that they interfere with normal daily activities. Fortunately, trigeminal neuralgia can be treated successfully with analgesics (pain medicines) and pain-reducing therapies. In some cases, surgical procedures may be performed to relieve pressure on the trigeminal nerve involved. Seek immediate medical care (call 911), if you, or someone you are with, experience serious symptoms, such as double or blurred vision; confusion or loss of consciousness for even a brief moment; sudden weakness on one side of the body; or numbness or tingling in the arms or legs, as these may be signs of stroke. Seek prompt medical care if you are being treated for trigeminal neuralgia, but your symptoms recur or are persistent.