MUMBAI, October 5, 2026: Bollywood star Salman Khan has spoken publicly about his experience with trigeminal neuralgia, a chronic nerve disorder known for causing severe and sudden facial pain.
According to the report, Khan’s struggle with the condition began around 2007 while he was filming the movie Partner. Initially, the actor and people close to him believed the intense pain could be related to a dental problem. He was later diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia.
Khan spoke publicly about the condition in August 2011. That same year, he underwent Gamma Knife surgery in the United Kingdom, a procedure that successfully relieved the severe pain he had experienced for years. However, he has reportedly continued to deal with some lasting effects of the condition.
What Is Trigeminal Neuralgia?
According to Cleveland Clinic, trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain disorder affecting the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensations from the face to the brain.
The condition can cause sudden and extremely intense attacks of facial pain when the nerve becomes irritated or compressed.
Symptoms of Trigeminal Neuralgia
The most characteristic symptom is sudden, severe facial pain, usually affecting one side of the face.
Patients may describe the pain as feeling like an electric shock, stabbing sensation or sharp jolt. Episodes can occur suddenly and may be triggered by activities such as touching the face, eating, speaking or brushing the teeth.
What Causes Trigeminal Neuralgia?
In many cases, the condition occurs when a blood vessel presses against the trigeminal nerve near the base of the brain. This pressure can interfere with normal nerve function and trigger intense pain signals.
Other possible causes include multiple sclerosis, tumors, facial trauma or nerve damage. In some patients, doctors may not be able to identify a specific underlying cause.
How Is Trigeminal Neuralgia Treated?
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. Options may include medications, injections and surgical or other medical procedures.
If trigeminal neuralgia is linked to another condition, such as multiple sclerosis, treating the underlying disease may also be necessary.
Gamma Knife treatment is among the procedures that may be considered in selected cases, while other surgical approaches can also be used when medication fails to control symptoms.
How Common Is It?
Media reports cited in the original article state that around 150,000 people are diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia each year in the United States, with women reportedly affected more often than men.
Anyone experiencing recurring or severe facial pain should seek medical evaluation, as several other conditions can cause similar symptoms.