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  Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia 
  
Reviewed  11-6-2002  

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What is Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?

Organizations
Related NINDS Publications and Information

What is Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia?
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is a disorder characterized by intense pain in the tonsils, middle ear, and back of the tongue. The pain can be intermittent or relatively persistent. Swallowing, chewing, talking, sneezing, or eating spicy foods may trigger the disorder. It is often the result of compression of the 9th nerve (glossopharyngeal) or 10th nerve (vagus), but in some cases, no cause is evident.

Is there any treatment?
Generally, treatment is symptomatic. Drugs such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, baclofen, and amitrityline may alleviate pain. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to relieve pressure on the nerve.

What is the prognosis?
People with glossopharyngeal neuralgia have remissions and exacerbations. For many individuals, drug therapy reduces or eliminates the pain sufficiently for them to carry on with their lives. When surgery is indicated, most individuals have very good results.

What research is being done?
Within the NINDS research programs, glossopharyngeal neuralgia is addressed primarily through studies on pain. NINDS vigorously pursues new treatments for pain and nerve damage with the ultimate goal of reversing these debilitating conditions.

Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.

 Organizations

American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)
P.O. Box 850
Rocklin, CA 95677-0850
ACPA@pacbell.net
http://www.theacpa.org
Tel: 916-632-0922 800-533-3231
Fax: 916-632-3208

National Chronic Pain Outreach Association (NCPOA)
P.O. Box 274
Millboro, VA 24460
ncpoa@cfw.com
http://www.chronicpain.org
Tel: 540-862-9437
Fax: 540-862-9485

Related NINDS Publications and Information

  • Pain - Hope Through Research

  • Information booklet on pain compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).


    NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.

    All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated.


    Provided by:
    The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
    National Institutes of Health
    Bethesda, MD 20892




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