In many patients, the attacks are less frequent at night or when the patient lies down. The onset of symptoms is more common in individuals between 50 and 60 years old, but it may occur in any age, including childhood. The disturbance is a little more common in women than in men. The pain usually begins in an intermitent way, with periods of months or sometimes years between the attacks. As the patient grows older, the periods of remission become shorter and the attacks more severe.
Spontaneous recovery is extremely rare.
Some patients feel the sensation of burning or pain which extends for longer periods of time, more often on one side of the face or the forehead. The causes of the atypical trigeminal neuralgia are less understood, and it may be difficult to distinguish from other medical problems like migraine, facial migraine, nerve lesion and sinus or dental problems. In the same manner, treatment for atypical trigeminal neuralgia may be less efficient in eliminating pain. The glossopharyngeal neuralgia is another neurological disturbance potentially related which causes throat pain and difficulty in swallowing. The diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia may be made by obtaining a history of paroxysmal ipsilateral facial pain activated by several facial stimuli.