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Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is a rare medical condition characterised by repeated episodes of sharp or shooting pain in the ears, tongue, throat, or tonsils. This pain lasts from a few seconds to a few minutes.
The ears, tongue, tonsils, or throat
While the exact cause behind glossopharyngeal neuralgia is unknown, studies indicate the following factors may lead to the development of the condition.
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is characterised by a sharp or stabbing pain on one or both sides. It causes pain in the areas connected to the glossopharyngeal nerve, such as:
In severe episodes, it can result in symptoms such as:
The episodes of pain recur several times during the day and can disrupt an individual’s sleep. The following factors may trigger this condition.
Depending on the severity of the pain, your doctor may recommend the following glossopharyngeal neuralgia treatments.
Since the exact cause behind glossopharyngeal neuralgia is unknown, studies suggest that the following factors may increase the risk of developing this condition.
The glossopharyngeal neuralgia nerve starts at the lower end of the brain stem and ends deep in the throat. As a result, the pain radiates across the tonsils, throat, tongue, and ears. While it is commonly observed on one side, the pain can spread to the other side as well.
The doctor will conduct a detailed physical examination and collect your medical history to get a better understanding of your health. For proper diagnosis, your doctor may recommend one of the following tests.
Blood tests - A battery of blood tests is conducted to rule out possible infections.
Imaging tests - Your doctor may recommend a CT scan or an MRI to get a detailed image of the head to see if any tumour or blood vessel is pressing on the nerve.
Since the exact cause behind glossopharyngeal neuralgia is unknown, currently there are no medical strategies that can be used to prevent the development of the condition. If you experience sharp or stabbing pain in the tongue, tonsils, throat, or ears, consult a doctor immediately to get the right treatment.
Doctors may use the following treatment options to manage the condition.
Studies suggest that glossopharyngeal neuralgia is a rare medical condition observed in:
The prognosis of individuals with glossopharyngeal neuralgia depends on the possible cause behind the condition and their response to treatment. While some people respond very well to medications, some may require surgical interventions. Multiple episodes of severe pain accompanied by bilateral pain are poor prognostic indicators.
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia can start in your throat and spread to your tonsils, tongue, and ears. While it is commonly observed on one side, it can spread to the other side as well. Severe pain can result in difficulty swallowing, loss of appetite and weight loss.
The glossopharyngeal neuralgia is located at the base of the stem, which moves along with the vagus nerve passing the internal jugular vein to the base of the tonsils, tongue, and glands of the mouth. The activation of the vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves can result in pain, fainting, and irregular heartbeats.
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia may result in possible health complications. These include syncope (fainting), arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats), bradycardia (slow heartbeat), hypotension (low blood pressure), seizures, weight loss, difficulty swallowing, difficulty speaking, damage to the carotid artery, hypoperfusion (reduced blood flow), and cerebral hypoxia (less oxygen in the brain). In rare cases, one might experience side effects of the prescribed medications.
If you are facing any similar signs or symptoms please contact the BLK-Max team to schedule an appointment at : +91-11-30403040
According to WHO, 360 million people (approx...
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