Tuesday, May 28, 2013

How To Get Rid Of Headaches Caused By TMJ


Do you suffer from mysterious headaches? Did you know that the cause of them may be the temporomandibular joint that is found in the jaw?

You could have the temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ), which causes your jaw and neck muscles to spasm, producing painful headaches, ear ache or dizziness. This cause of frequent, extreme headaches is among the simplest to treat and relief is almost instant.

The causes of this issue are normally hereditary, physiological, or lifestyle driven. If you grind the teeth at night or tense the jaw during the day, you create stress on the joint that can cause jaw pain. Injuries from accidents also contribute to the syndrome.

It is not uncommon that TMJ headaches are mistakenly identified as migraines. However, there are some symptoms that assists in identifying TMJ. One common symptom is clicking sounds in your jaw while opening as well as closing the mouth. Dizziness or fatigue may also be a sign of TMJ. Additionally, pain in the jaw area while eating something tough may suggest that you have TMJ.

Typically, the first step in treating TMJ consists of wearing splints. A splint pulls the lower jaw forward aiding to ease tense in the jaw.

It may take a while to get used to splints. However, usually the relief from the pain is worth any uncomfortableness you might feel before getting used to the device. In the case the dentist or doctor advises surgical treatment or some other more invasive treatment, it may be a good idea to ask one more opinion as well.

Medical TMJ treatment options might become rather costly if the insurance doesn't cover them. That is why you might want to try some home treatments. One technique that has aided some sufferers is changing heat and cold packs in the affected area.

Also, try to avoid eating tough foods. As an alternative, favor soft foods to avoid overly tense the jaw. In some cases, prolonged sitting can also be detrimental for TMJ symptoms. So, try to take short breaks now and then and stretch yourself during the break. This can help keeping the joint looser.

Often, TMJ sufferers grind their teeth throughout nights. In these cases a mouth guard may be helpful. This prevents clenching the jaw while sleeping, thus easing the pain caused by this.

One choice to relieve tense in the jaw is taking some muscle relaxants prescribed by the doctor. A drawback with them is that they have addicting properties. That is why they ought to be used with caution. You can also take some strong pain killers. However, the use of them ought to also be just temporal.

Sometimes back and neck massage provides assistance for TMJ patient by releasing muscle spasms. Also, jaw exercises can strengthen the joint offering great relief from the pain. These therapies are great because you do not have to experience any side effects that prescription medicines might create.

No comments:

Post a Comment