TMJ Disorders - Symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

TMJ disorder symptoms can be very uncomfortable and painful, and they often worsen if the problem is not immediately corrected. If you suspect that you may have symptoms of TMJ disorder, then it is important that you take immediate action to stop the pain and prevent future pain.

Temporomandibular joint disorder is usually recognized because of the pain in the jaw, but there are other symptoms that may accompany this disorder. Some of these other symptoms include: pain in the ears, clicking or popping when the jaw is moved, and sore muscles in and around the jaw joint.

Other symptoms involve areas that are further from the actually jaw joint. Some people may experience frequent headaches from the constant strain and pressure, and sometimes that pain also moves into the neck. Many people experience jaw clenching or teeth grinding, this clenching is more extreme when they are stressed. In more severe cases of TMJ disorder some people even experience a locking of their jaw, and they begin to lose movement.

Many people who experience TMJ pain don't seek help, instead they just learn to live with the pain and discomfort. But, there are some great treatment options available that can easily heal your jaw joint without breaking the bank.

Because TMJ disorder can negatively affect your life, you should consider the treatment option that matches your symptoms and lifestyle the closest. Some TMJ treatments include things such as: dental appliances, TMJ exercises, and even surgery (in the worst case scenarios). It is a good idea to consult with a doctor and try other non-invasive treatment options before electing to have TMJ surgery.

What is Your Gluteus Minimus?

"Oh!, my back is killing me and it hurts right here!!" you hear a friend say as they point along their waist line. "I think I have sciatica too because the pain runs down the side of my leg!"

Whether you have seen or heard something like this or not, it happens to probably 1000s of people everyday. People complain that it hurts them to walk or stand up straight. They even complain of hip pain that is "deep". And, even though you may not have caught it, not once did they hold their "back".

All of these are symptoms of a tight gluteus minimus muscle. As the name implies, it's a very small muscle with very large consequences. It is what is called a "prime mover" of the hip joint as well as a hip joint stabilizer. Its main function is to abduct, or move the leg away from the midline of the body. Think of doing jumping jacks. When the legs are apart that's abduction.

While jumping jacks or martial arts side kicks are extreme examples of the every day motion of abduction there are more subtle examples. Take for instance kicking a door shut because your hands are full of groceries, or, side stepping on the side walk to avoid bumping into someone. These are everyday examples of how you use your gluteus minimus to help you through your daily routine.

However, as was stated earlier, the minimus is small but very important. Like all muscles and tendons it can be strained because of repetitive use and become very tight and very painful, causing all sorts of discomfort. The most insidious example of overuse comes by way of the constant abduction of the hip joint that occurs when someone has to repeatedly get up from their office chair. This is compounded when you only have one way into your work station and thus, one way out.

While it may be a very small, even insignificant movement when done infrequently, its a whole 'nother thing when its done over and over and over again through out your day. If you are one of those unfortunates that is shackled to a desk that has a wall (or other obstruction) on one side that forces you to swivel to the other side day in and day out...watch out. You may be in for a little back and hip pain.

Typically this wouldn't be a problem if society wasn't so doggone technologically sophisticated. I mean, if you had to walk home a half a mile every day after work, your little gluteus minimus would probably just stretch itself out on the way home. But, after sitting at work for 8-10 hours, we go sit in our cars for another 1-2. Once we get home, we are too tired to do anything and so we sit down again at the dinner table or in front of the TV. And to top off the night, we go to sleep with our legs elevated on pillows or sitting in the easy chair. And with all of that, our friend the gluteus minimus doesn't get to stretch out and so gets very sore.

So, what to do, right? If you suspect a tight gluteus minimus, ask your physician for a prescription for physical therapy. Tell the therapist that you want a good stretching program (don't let them hurt you!!), and stick to it. I guarantee you that you will be amazed at how good you feel if you are able to stay on a gentle stretching program. Best of luck.

Acute Cystitis in Dogs

An inflammation to the urinary bladder normally caused by bacterial infection is Acute Cystitis. Female dogs are most common patients of acute cystitis than male dogs. Most cases of acute cystitis have an ascending effect. Ascending means that the bacteria arises from a lower part of the body such as the intestinal tract or at the perineum, the skin of the anus, ascending to the urethra proceeding to the urinary bladder, hence yielding to acute cystitis.

Female vagina of dogs as well as prostate glands of male dogs may also be the potential sources of acute cystitis. If you notice a blood in the urine, or when there's straining when urinating, or if there's increased urination manifested by your dogs, then a probable acute cystitis may be present. According to research, possible causes of acute cystitis include stones, tumors of the bladder, nervous system problems, and some diseases and medications.

Some bladder stones may infect the urinary bladder and may produce bacterial cystitis. For instance, certain types of bacteria such as Staph and Proteus may cause growth of a specific type of bladder stone called struvite. Tumors makes susceptible to bacterial urinary tract infection. Meanwhile, nervous system problems hinder the dog in emptying the urinary bladder so as to avoid possible development of bacterial urinary tract infection. However, some diseases such as Cushing's disease and medications that weakens the immune system may also lead to bacterial urinary tract infection as well.

A series of diagnostic tests to identify acute cystitis include a complete medical history of the dog's health and family's health and a comprehensive physical examination which includes palpation of the abdomen to investigate whether the bladder is functioning normally. Medical history involves queries on the sexual information about the dog--- whether it's intact or neutered, as well as information about the dog's appetite, water in-take and urination, weight loss, previous medications and previous illnesses.

Another diagnostic test that may be done is urinalysis. This is performed to evaluate the content of white blood cells, red blood cells and crystals present in the urine. Bacteria are examined under the microscope however absence of bacteria may not conclude a non acute cystitis result for excessive alkaline urine or high pH level may indicate urinary tract infection as well.

When bacteria are found in the urine it will then be subjected to culture and sensitivity to ascertain which type of bacteria is offending the urinary bladder. The types of bacteria that are commonly identified are E.coli, Staph or strep, and proteus. Cystocentesis or the collection of urine using a sterile needle that is passed through the abdominal wall going to the bladder and catheterization or the collection of urine through a catheter going through the urethra and then into the bladder using a sterile technique should be done properly so as to assure that the interpretation of the results are accurate and valid.

Preventing acute cystitis involves giving abundant water access to your pet to help clean your dog's system. Likewise avoid giving your dog medications that would suppress its immune system such as the cortisone-like drugs. Administer antibiotics in the morning or evening and comply with your dog's veterinarian's instructions.

Treatment and Prevention of Acute Cystitis in Dogs
A blood in the urine or a straining sensation when urinating, as well as increased urination exhibited by your pet dog may be symptoms of bacterial infection in the urinary bladder called acute cystitis.

Possible causes of acute cystitis include stones as there are types of bladder stones that may infect the urinary bladder and produce bacteria; tumors of the bladder, however, may lead to urinary tract infection as well since types of bacteria such as Staph and Proteus may lead to development and growth of a type of bladder stone called struvite. Meanwhile, nervous system problems could prevent the dog from urinating and emptying the bladder. If the bladder could not perform its function well such as completely emptying the bladder then possible growth of bacteria may also develop. Lastly, some diseases and medications such as Cushing's disease and cortisone-like medications weaken the immune system and lead to bacterial urinary tract infection.

Female dogs are most common patients of acute cystitis than male dogs; the female vagina of dogs and prostate glands of male dogs are potential sources of acute cystitis in them. Acute cystitis is said to have in an ascending manner. This means that the bacteria arises somewhere in the lower part of the urinary tract organ such as the intestinal tract or at the perineum, the skin of the anus, proceeding to the urethra and then to the urinary bladder.

Diagnostic tests to ascertain presence of acute cystitis include complete medical history of the dog which involves asking of information about the sexual activities of the dog such as knowing if it's intact or neutered, asking information about the dog's water consumption and urination, appetite for food and weight loss, previous medications and illnesses experienced.

A physical examination that evaluates the palpation of the abdomen to check whether the bladder is normal is likewise done. This is why regular veterinary visits is advised to early detect possible signs.Urinalysis is also implemented to check white blood cells, red blood cells and crystals presence in the urine; excessive alkaline urine or high pH level may indicate urinary tract infection as well, hence it is important to have urinalysis test procedure even if bacteria may not show in the results.

However when bacteria are found in the urine the next step is to do a culture and sensitivity test to identify which type of bacteria is causing the infection to the urinary bladder. E.coli, Staph or strep, and proteus are among the types of bacteria commonly seen under the microscope.

Treatment for acute cystitis includes a two to three weeks of antibiotic therapy. The result of the cultured bacteria to identify which antibiotic must be used to treat the specific bacteria is recommended by the veterinarian. However since the body's kidney naturally produces its antibiotic that's penicillin the urinary tract infection is treated naturally. In this case, sometimes veterinarians do not have to recommend bacteria culture and sensitivity since he could just choose the antibiotic initially used when the urinary tract infection that was first detected was treated.

Natural Back Pain Relief Supplement Ingredients Help Increase Quality of Life

Here is what you need to know about some commonly used supplements that may be effective in the reduction of joint pain and can support health joints.

If you have ever experienced joint pains, you know that it is a challenging condition. Our joints undergo age related changes that start at the onset of puberty and continue through out our lives. These degenerative changes usually accelerate during the third and fourth decades of life and can compromise the quality of your life.

Wear and tear of the joints caused by violent strain, gout, osteoarthritis, infections of the joint, and autoimmune disorder, is often the cause of this very painful condition.

Though there are no standard supplements that are available for the treatment of joint pains, a few are mentioned below that could help alleviate painful joint conditions.

Glucosamine
Our body requires glucosamine for the synthesis of glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans. These are present in the synovial fluid, ligaments, and other joint structures. Glucosamine sulphate is the dietary supplement most frequently used by patients who suffer from osteoarthritis and joint pains. Considerable research has shown that glucosamine sulphate effectively reduces symptoms and slows down the progression of the disease. The recommended daily dosage of this supplement is as follows - one capsule of 1500mg per day or three capsules of 500mg taken thrice a day.

Chondroitin
Chondriotin is a compound that is essential for the formation of our joints' matrix structure. Long-term use of chondriotin supplements could slow the progression of the disease by slowing the narrowing of the spaces between joints. Though some studies show that chondriotin helps alleviate pain, reviews of pooled studies reveal inconsistent results. Chondriotin has not shown any benefit over glucosamine and can probably be just considered as a modest supplement to alleviate pain. The recommended dosage of chondriotin is 200mg to 400mg taken two to three times every day.

Turmeric
Curcuma Longa (turmeric) is a spice that is widely used as a culinary herb. Did you know that turmeric has been used since ancient times to reduce joint inflammation? Turmeric contains the active ingredient curcumin, which exerts its anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting COX-2, prostaglandins and leukotrienes, thereby improving symptoms of joint pains. Though there is no typical dosage and there is insufficient evidence to support its efficacy in alleviating joint pains, turmeric can be safely consumed when added to food as a spice.

Fish oils
For centuries, people have been raving about the benefits of fish oil, which contains heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 has been proven to help lower triglycerides (fats in the blood) and blood pressure, reduce the risk of blood clots, improve the health of arteries, and reduce disease-causing arterial plaque. But recently, scientific research has shown that fish oil has properties that help reduce symptoms and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis . In fact, a majority of placebo-controlled trials of fish oil in chronic inflammatory diseases have revealed significant benefits, including decreased disease activity and a lowered use of anti-inflammatory drugs Unfortunately, most people's diets today do not include substantial amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. The main dietary sources of EPA are cold water fish such as salmon.

Magnesium
If you want relatively quick relief to muscle and joint pain, magnesium is the first supplement to try. Magnesium is necessary for numerous body functions. It is used to maintain normal muscle and nerve function, regulate heart rhythm, and support the immune system. Magnesium also regulates blood sugar levels and blood pressure. For many people, a normal diet may not be enough for optimum magnesium levels so it's wise to take a supplement. Magnesium is used in analgesics before surgery to help the patient's muscles relax. Take it right before going to bed, and it will help you have a good night's sleep. In the morning you'll awake with relaxed muscles.

Ways to Deal With TMJ Syndrome

Do you suffer from TMJ syndrome? Then you must very well know about the pain caused by it.

It doesn't allow opening the mouth fully which is annoying. And it is very hard to eat, talk and yawn. The jaw is attached to the skull with the help of this joint. The inflamed joint causes TMJ pain. The jaw cannot take high pressure. TMJ pain occurs when a jaw is faces high pressure.

The pain disappears if correct amount of rest is taken. Frustrated with the pain many behave like stressed without knowing that it is nothing serious. One can do exercises to completely get rid of a TMJ syndrome.

You should place the web of your hand in between forefinger and thumb. Before that take a high back chair and place your head adjacent to the chair.

The movement of the lower jaw triggers the movement inside the mouth. So the lower jaw is moved by pressing the head back smoothly by using the chin.

The pain can be reduced gradually when this exercise is continued 5 more times continuously and many times in a day.

Like the first exercise another exercise also starts with the identical position. One has to hold the jaw alongside the hand for a minimum of 5 seconds without changing any position in this second exercise.

Similar to the first exercise return to the starting position and do the same for few more times. The third is to relax by moving the lower jaw from side to side. The other way to deal with the TMJ syndrome is by enhancing the posture. Bad posture can result in adverse effects on the TMJ.

It is all true and you should really believe that the body alignment changes and the TMJ syndrome find a place in the shoulder, neck and back just because of a bad posture.

To check about the status of the posture you can stand in front of a mirror and compare your two arms to find whether they are equal in length and whether the shoulders are of same height. You should check whether your head turns towards anyone side marginally. If any of the above said changes in adjustments occur then it will result in a big problem.

A good posture will make the TMJ syndrome pain to disappear in the long run. A good posture achieved by taking proper steps in back correction to a straight position and also making the chin to point steadily upwards.

Yoga is an efficient tool to a softened TMJ. It creates a correct posture of the body which is in turn a solution to the TMJ pain.

By dealing with the pressure point that exists in between the thumb and the index finger with the help of acupressure can help in handling TMJ syndrome

By pressing the pressure point for a minute continuously with the help of your thumb by holding the hand in the other hand can seriously take of the pain.

I have developed new exercises which help at the time of TMJ. Rather following the traditional exercises these new exercises can be followed which not only alternatives to the traditional ones, they are better to the ones that I have explained here.

Understanding Canine Hip Dysplasia and How to Prevent It

Canine hip dysplasia is a genetic issue that starts to appear from the ages of 4 to 12 months. Not all puppies in a litter will develop it, though if your dog has canine hip dysplasia, she should not be bred.

Larger breed dogs have a higher risk of developing hip dysplasia, due to the greater weight these joints will have to bear. But it's important to realize that small dogs can be affected also. Large breed dogs at risk include rottweilers, german shephards, golden retrievers, dalmations, and blood hounds.

Canine hip dysplasia affects the ball and socket joint of the hip. The head of the large bone in the dog's leg doesn't fit snugly into the hip socket. The problem is that the socket itself is not well developed, and it creates a lot of stress on the joint. The muscles don't develop as quickly as the bone grows, and a situation is created where the weight the joint has to bear is greater than the capacity of the ligaments, tendons, and muscles around the joint. Thus joint instability develops. This in turn leads to a greater wear and tear than the joint would normally experience.

Canine hip dysplasia ranges from mild to moderate. In mild cases, the space between the joints is greater than normal and the ball at the top of the hip bone is part way out of its socket. Fortunately, in mild cases, there are no associated arthritic changes in the joint.

In moderate canine hip dysplasia, the top part of the normally rounded hip bone begins to flatten, and it sits only loosely in the joint. Bone spurs begin to develop, and arthritic changes start to happen.

Unfortunately, in severe hip dysplasia, there is definite arthritis present. And once arthritis appears in the joint, the condition is irreversible. In the severe cases such as this, the hip bone is completely out of the joint. The silver lining is, however, that not all dogs with hip dysplasia and arthritis will become lame. Some may become lame as puppies, some may not ever become lame.

Symptoms of hip dysplasia include:

* walking with a limp

* a swaying gait

* bunny hopping when running

* difficulty in the back legs when getting up

* pain in the hip

* when the puppy is lying on its back, its back legs may not extend towards the front legs without pain

The only way to find out if your dog definitely has hip dysplasia is if he has an x-ray by a vet. This normally means the dog will have to be heavily sedated, or go under anaesthetic.

Tips To Prevent Canine Hip Dysplasia

* Don't feed a growing dog a diet too high in calories. It's important that the growing dog's nutritional needs are met, but excessive weight, and rapid weight gain, create more of a load for the joints to bear. If a dog is genetically predisposed to hip dysplasia, this can delay the beginning of symptoms, or reduce the chance of it developing into a more severe form.

* Be careful about the type of exercise growing dogs get. Jumping up and down from heights, and standing on their back legs, such as when they stand against a fence or window to look over it, can aggravate the joints whilst they are growing quickly.

* Buy dogs from a reputable breeder. If one parent dog has hip dysplasia, the risk of it occurring in the litter is doubled. Good breeders take care to prevent this situation from occurring. The pedigrees of dogs can be checked to see whether they have been certified as normal by the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals (OFA) in the US. Their website is http://www.offa.org

Other organizations that check for markers of hip normalcy in dogs are PennHip and the GDC (Genetic Disease Control in Animals). Large breed dogs have a greater chance of developing hip dysplasia, and prospective owners would be wise to take this precaution.

References: J Griffin and L Carlson, Dog Owners Home Veterinary Handbook

Novel Uses For Botox

Botox簧 is used regularly to enhance the arched shape of the eyebrows and for lifting them, opening up the eyes and lessening the effect of any sagging skin of the upper eyelids. Botox簧 is also useful for improving eyebrow asymmetry - where one eyebrow is higher or lower than the other or has a configuration that is more flat or overly arched compared to the other side. Many patients will find that long-term, the Botox簧 created effect on the symmetry of the eyebrows begins to maintain itself even without further Botox簧 treatments.

Botox簧 can be used to treat prominent lines and folds in the neck, creating a younger, smoother look to the neck without the need for surgery or laser therapy.

Botox簧 can be used to smooth out an overly wrinkled or puckered looking chin by relaxing the tiny muscles that are responsible for this undesirable look.

Botox簧 can soften fine lines around the lips ("smoker's lines") and mildly increase the size and fullness of the lips without using a filler, fat or any surgical procedure.

Botox簧 is often quite helpful in treating patients with facial asymmetry as a result of trauma, surgical procedures, birth deformity or Bell's Palsy. Overactive muscles which are exaggerating and perpetuating any asymmetries can be made to relax.

Botox簧 for Masseter Hypertrophy - a condition which makes the face look full and wide (at the jaw level) - is often performed. Botox簧 relaxes the over-thickened and overdeveloped muscle, making the face look thinner, more oval, less square and more feminine. No surgery required.

Botox簧 treatments into the masseter muscle for symptoms of TMJ syndrome or teeth grinding are also often very effective. The injections result in less pressure on the temporomandibular joints and the teeth or jaws, providing long-term relief.

A wide variety of different types of chronic, recurrent headaches, including migraines will significantly reduce in number and/or severity with Botox簧 treatments. Sometimes these headaches will even completely disappear for months at a time (as an indirect effect) when the Botox簧 has simply been used directly to treat facial wrinkles. This is all without injecting into the scalp or head or doing any type of "mapping". Many patients with a headache affecting them at the time of their Botox簧 treatment will find the headache abating even before they leave the office (i.e. within minutes of treatment!). Patients with headache "trigger points" in the scalp or temporal areas will often get tremendous relief with small Botox簧 injections into these spots. The FDA approved Botox簧 medically for such treatments in 2010.

Botox簧 is quite good for the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive armpit sweating) in both men and women. This is no joke - these patients suffer terribly from an extreme form of unrelenting armpit sweating, independent of temperature, stress or anxiety. Axillary hyperhidrosis causes significant and embarrassing staining of the clothes or jackets; clothes are often ruined after being worn only once. There is often associated odor as well. Botox簧 can reduce the sweating levels to nearly zero for months. There also seems to be an overall long-term beneficial reduction effect even without further treatments. In the same manner, Botox簧 is also very useful for the excessive sweating problems of palmar (hands) and plantar (feet) hyperhidrosis. The FDA approved Botox簧 medically for such treatments in 2004.

Even more unique and medically creative uses abound. Patients with a lifelong history of refractory, problematic severe stuttering have been cured by special Botox簧 treatments for the vocal cords. Patients who in the past would have required surgery for certain types of severe swallowing disorders now have the possible available option that Botox簧 treatments (by endoscopy guided injections into the esophagus) - no surgery - might be all that is ever needed. Many patients with severe cerebral palsy, MS and other long-term, chronic, disabling conditions often have associated tightness of the limbs (extremity contractures) necessitating regular and painful physical therapy. Botox簧 treatments have been utilized to make the affected limb muscles more limber and less tight, making the therapy more tolerable, more effective, and easier to perform. Botox簧 has also been successfully used to treat painful neck and back muscle spasms, often helping more than traditional medications, physical therapy or "blocks". Botox簧 treatments to the urinary bladder for urinary incontinence or spastic bladder problems have been demonstrated to be very effective in helping women with these all too common problems.