The area below the ear and on the side of the head has a complex joint made up of tendons, muscles and bones and this joint is known as temporomandibular joint. This joint aids in opening and closing the mouth and if there is a problem in this area then every day habits like chewing, yawning and even speaking are affected. A number of TMJ symptoms are outlined here in this article.
The TMJ joint can become sore and painful due to many factors, namely stressing the jaw too much. Like most body parts constant stress on the joint can lead to various symptoms. Chewing gum constantly or grinding teeth while asleep can affect the jaw over a period of time. Even a simple habit like biting nails can have adverse effects on TMJ joints.
Apart from that troubles with teeth and trauma to the area can result in a TMJ problem. This could lead to difficulty in moving the jaw adequately. The TMJ symptoms are different for different people and often misdiagnosed. Although visiting the doctor can sooth your suspicions.
Many people complain of headaches similar to migraine due to TMJ disorders and they are sometimes misdiagnosed as such. The pain is concentrated on the temporal area hence the misconception. A radiating pain can affect the ear as well similar to an ear infection though a proper check can diagnose the problem correctly. The pain is around the ear area.
The face can become swollen and red. The mouth area can also be red and swollen due to trouble with the bite and chewing. The patient may hear popping and crunching sounds which may or may not be followed with pain in the same area. A number of patients may also feel dizzy though the reason for this is not clear.
The problems in the TMJ area can also cause speech impairment and this can severely affect a person’s life. The ear may feel muffled or compressed with air which will consequently create hearing problems. The symptoms include ringing in the ear as well.
The most uncomfortable symptom is the lock jaw where the jaws may lock in place as the muscles cease or the muscles tighten allowing little room for the mouth to open. This can affect in eating food and chewing. Sometimes the situation may need emergency care and the severe cases have their lives affected adversely.
The more severe situations can lead to patients eating soft foods for a while and avoiding biting hard and chewing tough foods. They need to control their bad habits like chewing nails and gum. They need to keep the stress of the jaw area. The doctor would normally give some medications and soothing agents that calm and relax the muscles though a change in lifestyle is important to keep the damage minimum.
The aches and pains are numerous from tongue to throat pain. Back pain and stiffness hence it is important to visit the physician for a proper diagnosis and air your suspicions freely.
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