Occurrence of trigeminal neuralgia increases with age.

Trigeminal neuralgia is characterised by severe unilateral facial pain that is paroxysmal (recurrent sudden attacks). It is nearly twice as common in women and increases with age to nearly one in 1,000 people over 75 years. The pain, lasting from seconds up to two minutes, can be evoked by trivial stimulation of the trigeminal nerve. Pain may be in the cheek or jaw or both. After each burst of pain there is a brief refractory period.