The TMJ (temporomandibular joint) is the most overworked joint in the entire body, and when it's overworked, it can produce a number of what are called TMJ symptoms. Since this is a hinged joint that connects the jaw with the upper skull, it literally never stops working. That's because you are always eating or talking or yawning or otherwise opening your mouth. In severe cases, the jaw will lock open - just try eating or talking when your jaw won't move! And, if you are like me, you might wish that the joint could take a mandatory rest in some people, especially if they are incessant talkers.
Unfortunately, the joint's never-ending motion can result in a painful condition known as TMJ dysfunction, and lots of people have it. The American Dental Association has estimated that about 35 million Americans and 720 million people worldwide get it at some point in their lives. That's because even when we're not talking or eating, our jaws are still working. Think about it - do you clench or grind your teeth, either when you're awake or when you're sleeping? That's very common, especially if you are stressed. Do you chew gum? How about bite your nails? All of these can lead to a damaged joint.
Because there are so many ways to use the jaw, it also means that there are many ways the different symptoms can arise. And the multiplicity of symptoms and the possible confusion with other maladies can cause confusion about the exact nature of the problem. Before going any further, let me say that it is always a good idea to keep a journal of the various possible symptoms and the stresses you've had at the time they arose so you will have something to show your healthcare provider when you visit with him.
So, knowing what the disorder is and how it's caused, a good question to ask is what are these symptoms we've mentioned? Well, about 80% of the people who have TMJ dysfunction complain of headaches and /or pain radiating down the neck and back, while about 40% report pain in the face or along the jawline. If the headaches or this type of pain occur most specifically when you open or close your jaw or when you are exposed to the cold, you can be pretty sure it is related to TMJ - both situations induce muscle contraction.
And then there are the sounds when you move your jaw that set your nerves on edge - clicking, popping, grinding - it almost feels as if you're running your fingernails over a blackboard. These sounds occur for a variety of reasons. It could be that the ligaments around the joint are moving in and out of position, or possibly that the joint disc has slipped from its place, or maybe that your jaw cartilage is rough because you grind or clench your teeth. You may or may not have pain along with the sounds and sometimes people even experience a wide range of clicks and pops but never feel a twinge.
Another common symptom is dizziness. Though fully 40% of TMJ sufferers report feeling dizzy or unbalanced, experts are not exactly sure why this happens. Many other ailments, and even hunger or dehydration, can cause a lightheaded feeling. The only report of significance here is that this type of dizziness is definitely not related to vertigo, a condition of the inner ear which causes the room to appear to "spin" around you.
33% of TMJ patients report that their ears feel "full," or "muffled," or "clogged," such that their hearing is affected. This feeling commonly occurs in people during airplane takeoffs or landings, and in those cases it is usually caused by the Eustachian tubes, the structures responsible for maintaining and regulating pressure in the middle ear. They may cause muscle spasms as the pressure changes. The spasms may also be occurring in TMJ sufferers, but experts are not certain that this is the case, and the symptom's cause remains uncertain.
Ringing in the ear, also known as tinnitus, appears also in about 33% of patients, but fully half of these people lose the noise once their TMJ disorder is treated. In addition, a high percentage of people report pain in their ears, even when they don't have an infection. Sometimes the diagnosis of TMJ dysfunction is delayed as doctors try to treat ear infections that aren't there.
People are different from each other, and, as a result, not all patients will report the same TMJ symptoms or the same proportions of each. However, this is a good list to go by in trying to determine if you do have TMJ dysfunction. If you notice these symptoms, make a note of each one, its onset, duration, and severity, and seek out the advice of a healthcare professional, such as a dentist or physical therapist. He will be able to assist you in making a correct diagnosis and in receiving the proper treatment. Just because you have a TMJ disorder, it doesn't mean you have to suffer
No comments:
Post a Comment