Did You Notice Rockford’s Nicholas Conservatory Glowing Teal? Here’s Why

Have you driven by Nicholas Conservatory at all this month?  You've probably noticed they've been illuminating the greenhouse in teal.  Here's why.

Throughout all of October, Nicholas Conservatory is shining a light on facial pain awareness by turning the greenhouse teal for Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day and Facial Pain Awareness Month.

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The conservatory has been sharing info about the cause on Facebook, helping bring attention to the conditions that can cause debilitating pain but are often misunderstood by people who have never experienced them.

The effort is part of a larger awareness program led by the Facial Pain Association, which encourages people to learn about the neuropathic facial pain and the challenges faced by those living with it.

What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Often referred to as TN, this is a neurological disorder affecting the trigeminal nerve, the fifth cranial nerve.  This nerve carries sensory information from the face, teeth and mouth to the brain.

It most commonly occurs when a blood vessel presses on the trigeminal nerve root near the brainstem. Other causes include aging, multiple sclerosis (MS) damaging the nerve's protective myelin sheath, or rarely tumors. [pnsi]

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Trigeminal neuralgia is sometimes referred to as the "suicide disease" because of the extreme severity of the pain some people experience.  The condition can take a devastating toll on someone, why bringing greater awareness, understanding and access to appropriate care matters!

Some More Important Dates to Know in October:

• October 7th: Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day
• October 10th: Geniculate Neuralgia Awareness Day
• October 14th: Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia Awareness Day
• October 25th: Occipital Neuralgia Awareness Day

This display down at Nicholas Conservatory is a reminder that not every medical condition is immediately obvious and people are dealing with challenges every day that we can't always see.

Follow Nicholas Conservatory to find out when you can visit all month long.