Posted by Introduction
Facial pain is pain that we feel in any part of the face. Including the mouth and the eyes and nose. Although it is normally due to an injury or a headache. Facial pain may also due to the result of a serious medical condition.
Causes of Facial Pain
Facial pain can be due to anything from an infection of face or nerve damage in any part of the face. Common causes for facial pain include:
- Oral infection
- Mouth ulcer
- Open sore
- Headache
- Facial injury
- Toothache
- An abscess, like accumulation of pus beneath the surface tissue in the mouth
- A skin abscess, which is a collection of beneath the skin
Types of Facial Pain
The exact type of pain will depend on the cause. People often describe facial pain as:
- Cramp-like
- Stabbing
- Throbbing
- Aching
Pain from the other areas in the body, like the ears or the head, may radiate or spread to face. A dull, throbbing pain on one side of face or around mouth is generally due to problems within the mouth, such as a toothache, cavity or abscess. The pain which is associated with the sinusitis feels like pressure or an aching pain in front of the cheekbones and under the eyes. Abscesses and the ulcers will show often throbbing pain at the site of the sore. Headaches and injuries can feel like a stabbing pain sensations or can throbbing pain.
Diagnosis
- History
- Examination
- Investigations
- Blood tests
- MRI scan
- X-ray
These imaging tests are useful in diagnosing problems within muscles, within the bones, and tissue.
Caused By Eye:
Ophthalmologist performs tonometry examination to diagnose corneal ulcers and glaucoma, if facial pain is due to eye conditions.
Caused By Heart:
An electrocardiogram (ECG) may be necessary to see if heart is causing the facial pain.
Treatment Options
Pain due to an infection such as sinusitis generally clears up with using antibiotics or allowing the infections to heal on its own. Facial pain due to a viral infection like shingles may be associated with a rash and post herpetic neuralgia. Prescription antiviral medications like acyclovir and Valacyclovir may shorten the duration of the rash and carbamazepine is given to lessen the severity of post herpetic neuralgia. Physical therapy can treat facial pain.
Oral conditions causing facial pain, can be treated by prescribing antibiotics, pulling tooth, or performing a root canal. Facial pain caused by cluster headaches or migraine headaches can be treated accordingly. These are the followings treatment modalities for facial pain.
13 Possible Conditions of Facial Pain
Sinus Infections:
Sinusitis is the inflammation of the lining of tissues of sinuses. This is due to bacterial or viral infection.
Deviated Septum:
A deviated septum may cause health complications such as difficulty breathing.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ):
Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders are problems with the joints and muscles that connect the lower jaw to the skull on both sides of the head.
Salivary Gland Infections:
A salivary gland infection occurs due to a bacterial or viral infection that affects salivary gland or duct which is called sialadenitis.
Temporal Arteritis:
Temporal arteritis occurs when the temporal arteries become inflamed or damaged. Temporal arteries supply blood to the brain and head.
Mumps:
Mumps is a dangerous disease caused by a virus which is passes from one person to another through nasal secretions, saliva and close personal contact.
Glaucoma:
Glaucoma is an eye condition that damages optic nerve.
Multiple Sclerosis:
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic illness of the central and peripheral nervous system.
Acoustic Neuroma:
An acoustic neuroma is a benign tumor that grows on the vestibulocochlear nerve near cerebello-pontine angle.
Polymyalgia Rheumatica:
Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory disorder that causes stiffness and muscle pain.
Trigeminal Neuralgia:
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a chronic condition that causes intense pain in all or part of the face.
Fibromyalgia:
Fibromyalgia is a disorder causes the widespread musculoskeletal pain followed by sleep, memory, fatigue and mood issues.
Hypoparathyroidism:
Hypoparathyroidism is a rare condition that occurs when the parathyroid glands in the neck dose not produce enough parathyroid hormone (PTH).