Salman Khan’s recent interview highlighted his painful health condition — trigeminal neuralgia. He described it as so severe that “you wouldn’t want your enemy to feel this pain.” This problem affects the nerves of the face and can cause sudden, sharp pain, often compared to an electric shock. Salman Khan lived with this condition for more than 7 years, which made daily life very difficult.
What Is Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Trigeminal neuralgia is a problem of the trigeminal nerve, which carries feelings from the face to the brain. When this nerve is disturbed or pressed by a blood vessel, it sends very strong pain signals. The pain usually comes on one side of the face and can last for seconds to a few minutes.
Salman Khan’s Struggle
Salman Khan’s interview highlighted how deeply trigeminal neuralgia affected his everyday life. He mentioned that even simple activities like eating food, brushing his teeth, or talking caused unbearable pain. Having breakfast sometimes took him over an hour because of repeated pain attacks.
Causes of Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia can be caused by:
- A blood vessel pressing on the trigeminal nerve
- Damage to the nerve covering
- Conditions like multiple sclerosis
- Rarely, a tumor pressing on the nerve
Common Symptoms
- Sudden, electric shock-like pain in the face
- Pain triggered by chewing, speaking, smiling, or brushing teeth
- Attacks that come and go, often many times in a day
- A mild burning or aching feeling between painful attacks
How Do Doctors Diagnose It?
Doctors usually check the patient’s history, examine facial sensations, and may do an MRI scan to see if anything is pressing on the nerve. They also rule out dental or sinus problems that can look similar.
Treatment Options
The goal of treatment is to reduce pain and improve life quality. Common treatments are:
- Medicines: Anti-seizure drugs are often used first to control nerve pain.
- Other drugs: Muscle relaxants or pain medicines may be added.
- Surgical options: If medicines don’t work, surgeries like microvascular decompression or radiosurgery can help.
Living with the Condition
Living with trigeminal neuralgia is very challenging because attacks are sudden and painful. People often face stress, anxiety, or depression. Along with treatment, patients are advised to avoid triggers like cold air or touch on the face.
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Conclusion
Salman Khan‘s struggle has brought attention to trigeminal neuralgia, a condition that is not very well known but extremely painful. With proper medical help, many people can manage the symptoms, but the treatment plan depends on each person’s body and condition.
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