LEARN MORE ABOUT TMJ
Maybe you know of the acronym TMJ, but have no idea what is TMJ. Perhaps you’ve heard your doctor mention it but never asked, “what is TMJ?” In case you are wondering what is TMJ, it stands for temporomandibular joint. The human body actually has two TMJs that attach the lower jawbone to the skull. The TMJs are highly complex joints. The term TMJ also refers to the other body parts that aid in opening and closing the mouth. Make sure that you ask your doctor the next time you see him. Better yet, go online and look it up. There are a plenty of resources that deal with TMJ.
You can find your TMJs on both sides of your head in front of your ear. TMJs are flexible joints that allow you to talk, chew and yawn. Your jaw slides in and out of the joint, moving either up and down or side to side. Like other joints in the body, the TMJs have a propensity to conditions that affect the joints, such as arthritis, trauma, dislocations, and others. TMJ disorders are the result when the TMJs malfunction.
What happens when you have TMJ disorder? There are various symptoms that may indicate TMJ disorder. Some of these are head and neck pain, ear pain (in and around the ear), throat pain, bite problems, clicking, grating or popping noise when opening the mouth and chewing, tenderness of the jaw, and difficulty in biting and/or chewing.
Anything that puts pressure on and wears down the TMJs are alleged to cause TMJ disorders. Do you grind your teeth at night? Are you a nail biter? Do you enjoy chewing gum or ice? These are only some of the suspected causes of TMJ syndrome. If you are exhibiting TMJ symptoms, see your doctor to find out whether or not your hunch is correct. They can verify what is going on by evaluating you and your symptoms. If it is, indeed, TMJ disorder, the simplest treatments will address your symptoms. Do not be surprised when you are prescribed anti-inflammatory medicines. Sometimes the application of either an ice pack or a heating pad is recommended.
A very important conclusion regarding TMJ disorders is that stress plays a major role in its occurrence. This is the reason why stress management and counseling is frequently advised to patients suffering from TMJ syndrome. Start exercising regularly. Follow a regular sleeping schedule. Eat healthy. Schedule some time for meditation. Immerse yourself in a hobby that relaxes you. Treat yourself right. Doing all these will definitely help lower your stress levels to reasonable proportions.
Tagged With TMJ, what is a TMJ, What Is TMJ, what is TMJ disorder, what is TMJ of the jaw, what is TMJ pain, what is TMJ syndrome
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