A

David

Darling

neuralgia

Neuralgia is intense pain from a damaged nerve, possibly tracking along its course. It may be temporary or chronic. There are various forms, including trigeminal neuralgia, which features attacks of stabbing pain in the mouth area, and post-herpetic neuralgia, which follows an attack of trigeminal neuralgia (at one time known as tic douloureux) and usually affects people over 60, especially women. Neuralgia may be due to inflammation or trauma. When it occurs in younger people, it is often a symptom of serious neurological disease. Most cases of neuralgia are treated with anticonvulsant drugs.