Finding Relief: Addressing TMJ, Ear Pain, and Facial Discomfort
TMJ disorders (TMD) have been proposed to correlate with certain conditions or causes, with varying degrees of evidence, some more common than others. A potential correlation between many of these chronic pain conditions is believed to be due to shared pathophysiological mechanisms.
Health Complications Associated with TMJ Disorder:
There are several chronic health conditions commonly associated with TMJ dysfunction. These include:
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Systemic joint laxity
- Chronic back pain
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Headaches
- Chronic neck pain
- Interstitial cystitis
- Regular scuba diving
How is TMD Associated with Sleep Apnea?
Recent research has shown a strong causal association between TMD and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Severe TMD can limit the opening of the oral airway, resulting in a backward positioning (retrognathic posture) of the mandible, which can lead to oropharynx blockage as the tongue relaxes during sleep. This process is aggravated by alcohol intake and other chemicals.
How is Scuba Diving Associated with TMD?
Scuba divers frequently experience changes in pressure when diving into deep seas. These pressure changes can lead to a condition known as barotrauma, which causes acute or chronic inflammation. Barotrauma can result in toothaches, headaches, swelling of the middle ear, tinnitus, headaches, joint pains, jaw joint inflammation, and TMJ pain.
How is Jaw Pain Related to Back Pain?
TMJ disorder is increasingly recognized as a condition that can affect multiple areas of the body. If you have symptoms of TMJ disorder, such as jaw grinding, difficulty opening your mouth, jaw lock, headaches, ear pain, or jaw tenderness, and you also experience arm, shoulder, or back pain, they may all be related. The body’s interconnected systems mean that an imbalance in one area can impact other parts of the body.
How is Rheumatoid Arthritis Related to Jaw Pain?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune condition that primarily affects the joints, causing warm, swollen, and painful joints. The TMJ is often one of the last joints to be affected. RA is associated with various clinical signs and symptoms, with discomfort being a major concern. This eventually leads to inflammation, reduced mobility, joint stiffness, and muscle spasms in the TMJ.
How are Jaw Pain and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Related?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that causes abdominal pain and discomfort, including symptoms like vomiting and constipation. A recent study found that IBS causes structural changes in the brain, leading to alterations in emotion regulation, pain control, attention, and information processing. Due to these alterations in the brain’s pain regulation center, IBS is associated with chronic pain conditions such as chronic back pain, TMJ dysfunction, chronic neck pain, and other disorders throughout the body.