New Insight-Migraines Cause Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Syndrome
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome is a recurrent and painful condition. TMJ can lead broken teeth, tooth abscesses, and root canals. TMJ is extremely common in the people who have migraines. The muscle tightness in the upper neck just below the mastoid process (part of skull behind the ear) also correlates well to the tightness in the temple and jaw muscles. I found it extremely rare for a patient to have TMJ and not have migraines. Usually a severe cross bite or other malformation of the mouth would be present if the patient did not have migraines. Patients often think that they need antibiotics for ear infection. Antibiotics may well be needed if they have developed a tooth abscess. I cannot begin to tell you how many patients I have seen who would demand antibiotics to treat this non-infectious, painful condition. Most people with TMJ syndrome fall into the migraine syndrome profile. Let me explain what I mean by the migraine syndrome. It is the outward expression of the body’s sensitivity to light, sound, smell, food, and/or stress. Some people are more sensitive than others; therefore, their reactions to different stimuli are greater. This sensitivity can be manifested in the body as migraines, sinus headaches, neck aches, palpitations, irritable bowel syndrome, motion sickness or vertigo, reactive hypoglycemia, temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ), panic attacks, and/or fibromyalgia. Now that’s a mouthful! Treating the migraines properly and understanding what is going on with you is very important in the healing process. ENT surgeons, dentists, physical therapists, psychologists can all play a role in treatment of TMJ. A headache specialist that understands the role of migraine syndrome in TMJ or an enlightened primary care physician can make the difference in your outcome.
About the Author
J. Wes Tanner, MD is a family practice and headache specialist who has been treating people for about 30 years. He has extensive experience in treating migraines and fibromyalgia with excellent success. In "Doctor, Why Do I Feel This Way?", Dr. Tanner exposes the secrets and myths about fibromyalgia and the migraine syndrome. To find out more, go to <a>href="http://www.migrainesyndrome.net">http://www.migrainesyndrome.net</a>.
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