Face pain

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Follow the treatment prescribed for the cause of the pain.

Painkillers may provide temporary relief. If the pain is severe or persistent, call your primary health care provider or dentist.

• Face pain is accompanied by chest, shoulder, neck, or arm pain. This could mean a heart attack. Call your local emergency number (such as 911).
• Pain is throbbing, worse on one side of the face, and aggravated by eating. Call a dentist.
• Pain is persistent, unexplained, or accompanied by other unexplained symptoms. Call your primary health care provider.

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In emergency situations (such as a possible heart attack), you will first be stabilized. Then, the health care provider will take a medical history and perform a physical examination. For tooth problems, expect a referral to a dentist or orthodontist.

You may be asked the following questions:

• What part of your face is in pain?
• Is the pain on both sides?
• If the pain is only on one side, which side is it on?
• Is the pain over a sinus (forehead, cheekbones)?
• Did the pain begin suddenly?
• Is face pain occurring repeatedly (is it recurrent)?
• How long have the episodes of face pain lasted (for how many months)?
• How long does each episode of pain last (how many seconds)?
• Is the pain worse when speaking, chewing, or swallowing?
• Does the pain develop when touching a specific part of the face (trigger point)?
• Did face pain occur before the start of a brain or nervous system problem (weakness, speech loss)?
• What other symptoms do you have?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• Dental x-rays (if a tooth problem is suspected)
• ECG (if heart problems are suspected)
• Tonometry (if glaucoma is suspected)
• X-rays of the sinuses

Neurological tests will be performed if nerve damage is suspected.

Review Date: 08/02/2009
Reviewed By: Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).