What is Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia?
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN) is a rare disorder that affects the tongue, throat, tonsils, and/or ears. People with GPN suffer from a great deal of pain, and the condition makes it difficult to drink, eat, sneeze, cough, or even talk.
For some patients, Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia symptoms are mild; for others, they can be quite severe. Without treatment, Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia symptoms may worsen over time.
Doctors believe that Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia is caused by a compression of the glossopharyngeal nerve. This compression may be due to a misalignment of the upper cervical spine.
Signs and Symptoms of Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia
People with Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia will feel pain in the throat, tongue, and/or ears. The intensity of the pain may vary but sufferers often describe it as a sharp, stabbing pain. Some people say it feels more like an electric shock.
The pain is often triggered when a person with Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia does something to aggravate the area. Some activities that may trigger pain include coughing, sneezing, clearing the throat, talking, singing, touching the gums, touching the inside of the mouth, drinking, or eating (especially cold items). The pain may be sporadic, coming in bursts before subsiding; alternatively, for some people the pain is constant.
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia, or GPN, is a neurological disorder characterized by pain on one or both sides of the throat. The pain is described as a sharp, stabbing sensation, and it can vary in intensity from mild to severe. The pain may be constant, or it may occur in short bursts.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia
The glossopharyngeal nerve is a cranial nerve that transmits impulses from the mouth and throat to the brain. If the glossopharyngeal nerve is compressed, doctors believe it causes the nerves to misfire, causing Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia symptoms.
The upper cervical spine is made up of the vertebrae that begin below the skull and run down the neck. This is close to the glossopharyngeal nerve. When the vertebrae in the upper cervical spine are misaligned, it may cause inflammation in the surrounding tissue. Inflammation and swelling can put pressure on the cranial nerves and disrupt sensory impulses.
How Our Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia Treatment Works
Our goal is to help alleviate the symptoms of Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia by getting to the root of the problem—that is, we make sure the upper cervical spine is properly aligned to prevent the compression of nerves.
Dr. Bejian Shamloo is an upper cervical specialist who can make corrections if the spine is misaligned. Treatment begins with the use of advanced 3D diagnostic imaging to help the doctor pinpoint the exact locations and angles of misaligned vertebrae. The doctor is then able to use gentle pressure to bring the spine back into alignment with precise calculations.
Once the vertebrae are corrected, the patient will begin to feel relief from symptoms. Returned to its natural state of alignment, the body's healing processes will commence and help to restore proper nerve functions.
If you are suffering from debilitating Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia pain, contact Upper Spine Knoxville. Dr. Shamloo provides patients with upper cervical chiropractic treatments in Knoxville, Alcoa, Maryville, Farragut, Clinton, Oak Ridge, Sevierville, Lenoir City, Karns, Hardin Valley, Powell, Halls, and Fountain City in Tennessee, as well as the surrounding areas.