Latest news with #TrigeminalNeuralgia
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Man cured of rare facial pain with advanced radiosurgery in Gurgaon
Gurgaon: For this 41-year-old native of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, life became a daily battle against invisible torment. For over a year, he endured sudden, electric shock-like pain on the right side of his face — pain so intense and unpredictable that even brushing his teeth or speaking could trigger a storm of agony. He was suffering from Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) — a condition so cruel, it is often called the "suicide disease." Trigeminal Neuralgia affects only about 4 to 13 people per 100,000 annually, making it an uncommon neurological disorder. It strikes without warning, causing recurrent facial pain that can last for seconds or minutes, and repeat dozens of times a day. In most cases, the right side of the face is affected. The condition is more prevalent in women and people over 50, though it can occur at any age, even in children, though extremely rarely. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon To treat the patient, the medical team at Medanta chose CyberKnife radiosurgery — a non-invasive, high-precision treatment — that uses focused radiation to target the affected nerve without harming surrounding brain tissue. Within 48 hours of the surgery, the patient reported a reduction in pain. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like local network access control Esseps Learn More Undo A month has passed since, and he lives on with minimal medication. "It is a rare disease and patients suffering from it face severe headaches, inability to swallow even water, and spasms. The pain is intermittent. It can happen to anyone. After CyberKnife radiosurgery, which helps 60-90% patients, they may not feel any pain for 5 to 8 years. Earlier, just 50% of the patients used to get temporary relief after surgery," said Dr Tejinder Kataria, chairperson, radiation oncology, cancer care, Medanta. Explaining the disease, she said, "The trigeminal nerve, also known as the fifth cranial nerve, is one of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves and plays a vital role in facial sensation and motor functions like chewing. In cases of trigeminal neuralgia, a blood vessel—often an artery—compresses the nerve root near the brainstem, leading to localized, electric shock-like pain. This neurovascular conflict disrupts normal nerve signalling," she said. "Trigeminal neuralgia is primarily diagnosed through a patient's description of pain and its triggers. MRI imaging helps confirm if a blood vessel is compressing the trigeminal nerve. It's a diagnosis that blends clinical intuition with precision imaging," she added.
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Health
- Business Standard
Salman Khan reveals brain aneurysm, AVM and the 'suicide disease'
Bollywood actor Salman Khan recently disclosed that he is living with multiple serious neurological conditions, including a brain aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation (AVM), and trigeminal neuralgia, commonly referred to as the 'suicide disease' due to its excruciating pain. The actor revealed these health challenges during his appearance on The Great Indian Kapil Show, aired June 21, where he briefly spoke about working through these conditions despite their severity. These diseases, though rare, are potentially life-threatening if not managed carefully and can significantly impact quality of life. Khan made a candid revelation during conversation with Kapil Sharma, ' Hum ye jo daily ki haddiyan tudwa rahe hain, pasliyan toot gai, trigeminal neuralgia ke sath kaam kar rahe hain, aneurysm hai brain mein uske bawajood kaam kar rahe hain. AV malformation hai, uske bawajood chal rahe hain.' ('I'm out here breaking my bones every day, ribs are fractured, I'm working despite having trigeminal neuralgia, there's an aneurysm in the brain, yet I'm still working. There's also an AV malformation, and still, I'm carrying on.') What is Trigeminal Neuralgia, and why is it called the 'suicide disease'? According to the Cleveland Clinic, an American nonprofit academic medical centre based in Cleveland, Ohio, Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain disorder that causes intense pain attacks in your face. It happens when your trigeminal nerve, responsible for sensation in the face and chewing, is damaged or irritated. According to media reports, Khan was first diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia around 2007 during the filming of Partner. He underwent nerve surgery in the US in 2011. It is characterised by sudden, stabbing facial pain triggered by mild activities such as chewing, brushing, or speaking. It is called 'suicide disease' due to the debilitating nature of the pain, which can severely impact the patient's quality of life. It is a rare disease with an estimated global incidence of about 4 to 13 cases per 100,000 people annually, according to a 2022 study. Women are more likely to develop it than men and most cases develop after age 50. What is a brain aneurysm? According to Dr Praveen Gupta, chairman, Marengo Asia International Institute of Neuro & Spine (MAIINS), Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram, 'An aneurysm is a weakness in the wall of the artery that causes it to bulge out, forming a balloon-like structure. This site is prone to rupture, leading to brain hemorrhage.' Early warning signs of aneurysm highlighted by Gupta: Sudden, severe headache (commonly described as the worst headache of life) Neck stiffness Tingling or numbness Transient vision problems or double vision Mild speech slurring Imbalance while walking Facial drooping Sudden memory issues or difficulty using appropriate words Dr Gupta explained that the treatment of this rare disease involves minimally invasive procedures to seal the aneurysm, such as endovascular coiling or flow diverter stents. In some cases, open surgery is required to place clips that prevent rupture, he said. While talking about the preventive measures, Dr Gupta said lifestyle changes to control blood pressure and avoid rupture are crucial. He said, 'Monitoring small, unruptured aneurysms with regular imaging is important, along with lifestyle changes.' In order to prevent aneurysm, he urged people to: Adopt a healthy lifestyle Strictly control blood pressure Avoid smoking Get regular screenings done, if there is a family history of aneurysms What is arteriovenous malformation (AVM)? According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, AVM is a rare vascular condition in which arteries and veins are abnormally connected, bypassing the normal capillary system. This can reduce oxygen delivery to brain tissues and may rupture. It is estimated to occur in less than 1 in 10,000 people. Some of the symptoms of AVM include headaches, seizures, or neurological deficits. According to global health agencies, many cases remain undiagnosed until a rupture occurs. Gupta explained that the presence of both an aneurysm and AVM significantly increases the patient's risk for brain haemorrhage. Despite these serious diagnoses, the Bajrangi Bhaijaan actor continues to lead a highly active professional life. Why are these conditions dangerous? Dr Gupta emphasised that these disorders, though individually rare, can lead to life-threatening outcomes if not diagnosed or treated promptly. He said, 'Early warning signs of stroke and aneurysm are often subtle and should not be ignored. Timely intervention can be life-saving.' He further recommended: Early neurological consultations for recurring headaches or facial pain Regular monitoring for individuals with familial risk Lifestyle changes to reduce modifiable risk factors such as high blood pressure and smoking Salman Khan's disclosure has shed light on lesser-known but critical neurological diseases. Despite this complex mix of neurological issues alongside physical strain and chronic sleep disruption, he continues to work actively, relying on a strong support system and fall-back health routines. For more health updates, follow #HealthWithBS
