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Smells & Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological disorder causing intense pain in the face. The severity of the pain can be debilitating. Other symptoms may be present; some patients report a change in their ability to perceive smell.

  1. Symptoms

    • Symptoms include short episodes of intense pain in the face, pain focused on one point on the face, mild and sporadic face pain, and painful attacks becoming worse over time. Although smells have not been directly correlated to trigeminal neuralgia, a study conducted by the University of Sao Paulo in Sao Paulo, Brazil, found that a study group of trigeminal neuralgia patients yielded "higher smell thresholds."

    Cause

    • The exact cause of the trigeminal neuralgia is not known. It is speculated that a blood vessel is putting constant pressure on the trigeminal nerve, causing an adverse reaction to facial stimulation. The relationship trigeminal neuralgia has to symptoms affecting smell is not known; however, it is possible that the olfactory nerve is being affected.

    Risks

    • Trigeminal neuralgia is prevalent in patients with multiple sclerosis. Women seem to have higher incidences of trigeminal neuralgia and people over 50 may be more susceptible.

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