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Are Sudden Sharp Pain At Base Of Tongue And Jaw A Concern?
Question: Suddenly had a sharp severe pain at base of tongue through tongue that radiated under jaw tender glands and into ears. Lasted 30 seconds of severe pain and then glands were tender. Totally gone now.
Brief Answer:
You might be suffering from Neuralgic pain
Detailed Answer:
Hi,thank you for posting your query on health care magic.
Looking at your symptoms,you might be suffering from a neuralgic pain(Glossopharyngeal neuralgia).It is an irritation of the ninth cranial nerve (Glossopharyngeal) causing unilateral severe, sharp, stabbing, and shooting paroxysmal type of pain in the back of the throat, tongue and ear.Swallowing, chewing, talking, coughing, yawning or laughing can trigger an attack.You may initially experience short, mild attacks, with periods of remission. But neuralgia can progress, causing longer, frequent attacks of pain.
If you are suffering from repeated attacks of pain,then it would be advisable to consult a neurologist doctor.If glossopharyngeal neuralgia is suspected, the doctor will attempt to trigger an episode by touching the back of the throat with a swab. If that causes pain, a topical anesthetic is applied to the back of the throat and the doctor will try the pain stimulus again. If pain is not triggered while the area is numb, glossopharyngeal neuralgia is diagnosed. Other tests may include an MRI or MRA(MR Angiography) to look for tumors or a blood vessel compressing the nerve.
A variety of treatments are available, including medication, surgery, needle procedures, and radiation. First-line treatment is usually medication. Anticonvulsants, such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), gabapentin (Neurontin),Antidepressants(like Amitryptiline) are used to control pain.When medications fail to control pain or cause intolerable side effects, a neurosurgeon may be consulted to discuss other procedures.
Hope this answers your question.I would be happy to answer if you have any follow-up questions.Take care.
You might be suffering from Neuralgic pain
Detailed Answer:
Hi,thank you for posting your query on health care magic.
Looking at your symptoms,you might be suffering from a neuralgic pain(Glossopharyngeal neuralgia).It is an irritation of the ninth cranial nerve (Glossopharyngeal) causing unilateral severe, sharp, stabbing, and shooting paroxysmal type of pain in the back of the throat, tongue and ear.Swallowing, chewing, talking, coughing, yawning or laughing can trigger an attack.You may initially experience short, mild attacks, with periods of remission. But neuralgia can progress, causing longer, frequent attacks of pain.
If you are suffering from repeated attacks of pain,then it would be advisable to consult a neurologist doctor.If glossopharyngeal neuralgia is suspected, the doctor will attempt to trigger an episode by touching the back of the throat with a swab. If that causes pain, a topical anesthetic is applied to the back of the throat and the doctor will try the pain stimulus again. If pain is not triggered while the area is numb, glossopharyngeal neuralgia is diagnosed. Other tests may include an MRI or MRA(MR Angiography) to look for tumors or a blood vessel compressing the nerve.
A variety of treatments are available, including medication, surgery, needle procedures, and radiation. First-line treatment is usually medication. Anticonvulsants, such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), gabapentin (Neurontin),Antidepressants(like Amitryptiline) are used to control pain.When medications fail to control pain or cause intolerable side effects, a neurosurgeon may be consulted to discuss other procedures.
Hope this answers your question.I would be happy to answer if you have any follow-up questions.Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Few things I failed to mention.
One: I have a history of TMJ
Two: On 12/29 I had a biopsy done on the taste bud on the far back side of my tongue. The flap that is on the left near the last molar. It was non invasive but the doctor used local anesthetic into the tongue. I have been avoiding rubbing the area against my teeth by keeping my tongue to the side.
Three: my throat is a little sore and I still have some pain in the left ear.
One: I have a history of TMJ
Two: On 12/29 I had a biopsy done on the taste bud on the far back side of my tongue. The flap that is on the left near the last molar. It was non invasive but the doctor used local anesthetic into the tongue. I have been avoiding rubbing the area against my teeth by keeping my tongue to the side.
Three: my throat is a little sore and I still have some pain in the left ear.
Brief Answer:
Pain might be due to tongue biopsy or inflammation in your throat
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
The neuralgic pain due to irritation in Glossopharyngeal nerve might be due to :
1.)Inflammation in your throat-as you told that you are suffering from mild pain in throat.The inflammation might have caused irritation in Glossopharyngeal nerve
2.)Tongue biopsy done under local anesthesia-it might have cause irritation in the Glossopharyngeal nerve as one of the branches of this nerve pass from the back side of tongue.
The characterisctics of temporo-mandibular pain is different from Neuralgic pain-It is a Chronic type of pain,dull in nature,gradually increasing in nature.Pain/tenderness felt over jaw/Temporomandibular joint,may radiate to ear,may increase on chewing movement,may be associated with a click heard over temporo-mandibular joint.
You may take Analgesic( like Ibuprofen) along with Antacid(like Rantac) for the pain in the throat and ear.
If you are suffering from similar pain repeatedly,then it would be advisable to consult a Neurologist doctor.
Hope this answers your question.Take care.
Pain might be due to tongue biopsy or inflammation in your throat
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
The neuralgic pain due to irritation in Glossopharyngeal nerve might be due to :
1.)Inflammation in your throat-as you told that you are suffering from mild pain in throat.The inflammation might have caused irritation in Glossopharyngeal nerve
2.)Tongue biopsy done under local anesthesia-it might have cause irritation in the Glossopharyngeal nerve as one of the branches of this nerve pass from the back side of tongue.
The characterisctics of temporo-mandibular pain is different from Neuralgic pain-It is a Chronic type of pain,dull in nature,gradually increasing in nature.Pain/tenderness felt over jaw/Temporomandibular joint,may radiate to ear,may increase on chewing movement,may be associated with a click heard over temporo-mandibular joint.
You may take Analgesic( like Ibuprofen) along with Antacid(like Rantac) for the pain in the throat and ear.
If you are suffering from similar pain repeatedly,then it would be advisable to consult a Neurologist doctor.
Hope this answers your question.Take care.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
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