How TMJ And Ear Pain Are Related And Treated

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Did you know that not all ear pain results from an infection? Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can result in discomfort in the area. The TMJ connects your jawbone to your skull; it acts as a sliding hinge that assists whenever you speak, chew, and swallow. Learn more about TMJ and ear pain disorders, how to differentiate this sensation from other types, why it occurs, and how to find relief.

What is The TMJ?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the bone that forms the side of the skull (temporal bone) and the lower jawbone (mandible), which is near your ear. This joint enables you to move your jaw forward, backward, and side-to-side. The main signs of TMJ disorder are a painful jaw and limited movement in the area.

TMJ Disorders

Although the causes of TMJ disorders are often unclear, discomfort in this joint can be caused by an injury to the jaw, arthritis, teeth grinding, excessive gum chewing, or a misaligned bite. There are three main types of TMJ disorders:

• Myofascial pain: This is the most common type of TMJ disorder. It is marked by deep, aching pain in the muscles of the joint.
• Internal derangement of the joint: This is associated with a dislocated joint or trauma to the jaw.
• Degenerative disease: Arthritis is a type of degenerative joint disorder that can affect the TMJ.

TMJ Pain Characteristics

TMJ pain may be a dull, ongoing irritation or a sharp, searing pain. This discomfort may be more apparent when you move your jaw to talk, chew, swallow, or yawn. In addition to experiencing ear and jaw pain, you might also feel soreness along the side of your head, neck, temple, cheek, face, lower jaw, and teeth. Other common symptoms of TMJ also include:

• A clicking/popping sound when opening the mouth
• Locking of the joint
• Difficulty opening the mouth
• Ringing sound in the ear

Remember to consult with your doctor if your aching ear is companied by any of these symptoms.

Why TMJ Ear Pain Occurs

An aching ear is a common symptom for people with a TMJ disorder. Because the TMJ is near the auditory canal, pain and inflammation in this joint can affect the ear. A ringing sound in the ear, also known as tinnitus, is often a part of TMJ ear pain. An ENT specialist can examine your hearing and eardrum to determine if your earache is related to the TMJ.

What Are the Treatment Options?

Treatment for disorders of the TMJ depends on the cause and severity. If you are experiencing mild pain, your doctor may recommend some of these self-care remedies to reduce soreness and tension in the joint:

• Eat soft-foods
• Try relaxation techniques
• Do TMJ stretches and exercises
• Avoid chewing gum
• Avoid clenching or tensing your jaw
• Apply moist heat to the area

Anti-inflammatory medication and muscle relaxants can also help to relieve tenderness. A mouthguard may be a treatment option if your TMJ pain is caused by teeth grinding; this will prevent damage to the joint. Orthodontic appliances are a great way to correct the upper and lower teeth, as misalignment can result in problems with the temporomandibular joint.

Finding the cause of your ear pain is important because it will lead to getting the correct care. If your earache is a sign of TMJ disorder, the good news is that you can reduce pain and discomfort with a few lifestyle changes. Incorporate breathing exercises to assist with relaxation, which can ease tension on the joint. Speak with your dentist or orthodontist if your TMJ pain is related to an incorrect bite.

This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

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Your earaches could be a TMJ issue

Believe it or not, your earaches could be a TMJ issue. Many people simply assume they suffer from chronic ear infections when in fact they are dealing with temporomandibular joint problems.

What does ear pain from TMJ disorder feel like?

Of course, every patient may manifest symptoms differently but the following are some of the most commonly experienced issues:

• Ear pain when speaking, chewing or swallowing
• Ear infection
• Tinnitus or ringing or other noises in the ears
• Aching, dull pain
• A feeling of fullness within the eustachian tubes (the tubes that equalize pressure in the ear and connect the middle ear to the upper portion of the throat)

Instead of merely brushing off these symptoms as some viral ear infection or something you may have picked up from swimming lessons, it is vital to see your doctor to determine the underlying cause. If you are experiencing any blood drainage, pus or the pain does not leave after a few days, be sure to visit your health care provider immediately.

Your best bet may be a dentist

Of course, if you suspect that your issues are TMJ related and are aware of other symptoms such as clenching your teeth, headaches, grinding your teeth, chronic neck or shoulder pain etc. you may want to simply make your dental appointment first.

What is the temporomandibular joint?

You have one of these joints on each side of your head. It is the “hinge” that connects the jaw to the skull. The temporomandibular joint is located in close proximity to the middle ear and the ear canal. The muscles surrounding this exceptionally important muscle, along with the ligaments and fascia that hold the bones in place, are intimately connected with the ear and the subsequent nerves that offer support. When this joint becomes inflamed, pain can transcend into the ear region, masquerading as an earache.

Dental relief

Dentists specialize in not only the mouth but the entire anatomy of the face, head and neck regions. And specially trained dentists who use the TruDenta system of diagnosis and treatment are able to see past the presenting symptoms of ear pain and other issues, including chronic migraines, to determine that the jaw is at the heart of the issue.

Predisposing dental factors

A tooth infection can cause pain to radiate in unlikely places. Some individuals are chronic tooth grinders however, they may be unaware. Many people are first notified of their grinding habits during a regular dental check up when the dentist notices that their teeth are worn down ultra smooth. Some people simply never associate waking up with a headache and a sore jaw with any clenching or bruxism (grinding) issues. However, many patients are asymptomatic and never experience chronic pain. Only once acute pain sets in and doesn’t disappear do they begin investigating.

Clenching and bruxism are involuntary behaviors that may be stress related. Some patients begin to notice that they find themselves clenching their teeth at the office or in place of yelling at their young children. Only when one is aware of their issues can they take steps, such as wearing a mouthguard to protect their teeth and TMJ muscles. Your earaches could be a TMJ issue; therefore, if you find yourself or a loved one experiencing any chronic or acute earache symptoms, be sure to book a dental appointment. Misalignment is often the culprit and your dentist can discuss the appropriate measures to have you living pain free once and for all.

Ear congestion – causes, in which diseases it occurs, diagnosis and methods of treatment

Fungus

Allergy

Sulfur plug

Otitis

Adenoids

Hearing loss

Rhinitis

Tumor

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04 February

Ear congestion: causes, diagnosis and treatment.

Definition

The congestion of the ear or ears occurs as a result of a violation of sound perception and is characterized by various sensations, including deafness, a feeling of squeezing and heaviness, too strong sounding of one’s own voice. Ear congestion, regardless of the causes of its occurrence, is difficult for the patient to tolerate and, as a rule, requires the help of a specialist.

Types of stuffy ear

Congestion in one or both ears may be accompanied by pain, tingling, noise or ringing in the ears, dizziness. In some cases, congestion disappears after the act of swallowing.

A dangerous symptom is ear congestion with the addition of fever, headache, discharge from the ear (purulent or bloody), sensation of a foreign body.

Ear congestion does not always indicate a pathological process. This condition can be caused0021 water in the ear, pressure drop during air travel or deep diving. Sometimes too strong and incorrect blowing out simultaneously from two nasal passages leads to blockage of the ear (ears), which is associated with an increase in pressure in the middle chamber of the ear due to a sharp intake of air from the Eustachian tube. Taking some medications (antibiotics, psychotropic substances) has a toxic effect on the ear, causing congestion and hearing loss.

Diseases in which ear congestion may develop Attempting to remove earwax yourself with the help of improvised objects significantly increases the likelihood of pushing the plug deeper into the ear and sticking wax on the eardrum (this increases the risk of injury to the eardrum, leading to complete or partial hearing loss). In these cases, the state of congestion in the ears is accompanied by excruciating pain, noise, dizziness and nausea.

Mycotic or fungal infection of the external auditory canal . Infection with fungi can be complicated by narrowing or blockage of the ear canal with the appearance of a feeling of stuffiness in the ears. Hearing aids, in-ear headphones, as well as inflammatory diseases of the ear exacerbate the spread of fungi in the ear. The main signs of the disease are itching, ear congestion and the resulting hearing loss, an increase in the sound of one’s own voice in the diseased ear.

Damage to the external auditory canal and structures of the middle ear may be accompanied by hearing loss and congestion. Bleeding and the formation of a blood clot that clogs the ear canal lead to a deterioration in sound conduction. In addition, trauma to the tympanic membrane is possible during cleaning of the ear canal, a sharp drop in pressure, a strong blow to the outer ear. In this case, there is a sharp pain, which is replaced by congestion, ringing, noise and hearing loss.

Acute inflammatory diseases accompanied by edema and sometimes purulent contents. They can lead to ear congestion and hearing loss. In particular, with otitis media (tympanitis) the tympanic cavity and the auditory tube are involved in the inflammatory process. Swelling, narrowing the lumen of the auditory tube, and suppuration of soft tissues cause ear congestion and hearing loss. As a rule, the infection penetrates into this sterile cavity from the Eustachian tube, which is directly connected to the nasopharynx.

In children of the first and second years of life, acute otitis media can occur when breast milk or milk formula enters the nasopharynx during regurgitation.

In older children, otitis media and congestion can be caused by inflammation of the adenoids – lymphoid tissue responsible for local immunity of the nasopharynx and closing the openings of the auditory tubes in the nasopharynx. The anatomical proximity of the adenoids and the auditory tube ensures the rapid transfer of infection from the nasopharynx to the ears. In addition, enlarged adenoids can block the openings of the auditory tube, which causes a feeling of congestion.

Allergic reactions can also lead to acute inflammation and swelling of the middle ear.

Otitis externa is characterized by inflammation of the external ear canal. Congestion in the ear in this case occurs due to swelling of the tissues of the ear canal.

If the disease is caused by the ingress of a foreign body into the ear canal , then swelling and congestion are complemented by a picture of severe irritation. The patient complains of severe itching, pain, feeling of fullness, heat in the ear area. The pain is aggravated by chewing movements.

In case of furunculosis of the external auditory canal, the picture of the disease is aggravated by the closed space where the inflammatory process develops. The growing pain in the ear is complemented by its irradiation to the corresponding half of the head. The patient cannot lie on the affected side. Due to the strong swelling of the tissues of the external auditory canal, sound conduction to the diseased ear is disturbed, there is a feeling of congestion.

To the number of anatomical and postoperative defects , which cause ear congestion, include deviated septum, narrowing of the nasal passage due to hypoplasia of the wings of the nose, stenosis of the external valve of the nose.

Violation of nasal breathing leads to the frequent occurrence of a runny nose, infection of the nasal sinuses and, as a result, to the transition of the inflammatory process to the auditory tube.

Ear congestion in these cases appears on the side of the narrow nasal passage. The same consequences occur after operations in the nose.

Sensorineural hearing loss occurs due to a lesion in any part of the auditory nerve. Most often, this is an irreversible phenomenon, the symptoms of which include imbalance, dizziness, nausea, congestion and noise in the ear, poor perception of low sounds. The causes of sensorineural hearing loss can be transferred infectious and vascular diseases, tumor processes, injuries, toxic effects of various substances.

Meniere’s disease is a non-purulent disease of the inner ear, which is accompanied by its congestion. An increase in the volume of lymph in the labyrinth of the ear leads to increased pressure and attacks of progressive deafness, tinnitus, and sudden dizziness. In most cases, one ear is affected first. The disease begins either with attacks of dizziness, or with hearing impairment, which is completely restored between attacks. However, after a few years, hearing loss becomes irreversible.

Myofascial pain syndrome, diseases of the temporomandibular joint . Patients with myofascial pain syndrome, which is associated with impaired activity of the masticatory muscles and limited mobility of the lower jaw, may also complain of ear congestion. In addition, the disease is accompanied by headaches and facial pain, difficulty opening the mouth, clicking in the temporomandibular joint.

The root cause of the syndrome is a spasm of the masticatory muscles. A similar clinical picture is also given by diseases of the joint itself, caused by malocclusion.

Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels, rise in blood pressure . Congestion in the ears with damage or vasoconstriction is due to a deterioration in the blood supply to all tissues, as well as a violation of blood circulation in the inner and middle ear.

Vasomotor rhinitis, or runny nose during pregnancy occurs under the influence of hormonal changes and is characterized by a violation of vascular tone and the release of mucous secretions. With allergic rhinitis, the clinical picture of the disease is almost the same, but the provoking factor is not hormones, but a specific allergen. Swelling of the mucous membrane and narrowing of the nasal passages lead to impaired patency of the auditory tube and cause ear congestion.

Tumors in the ear canal, auditory tube and inner ear – the most dangerous cause of ear congestion. Among them should be called cholesteatoma – a tumor-like formation, which consists of epidermal cells impregnated with cholesterol. Cholesteatoma is characterized by slow but steady growth. Formed in the middle ear, it can spread to the outer and inner ear, causing congestion and a feeling of heaviness in the ear, purulent discharge, swelling and redness of the auricle.

Which doctors to contact in case of ear congestion

If ear congestion occurs, you should contact an otorhinolaryngologist. Further consultation may be required.
therapist,
pediatrician,
gynecologist, neurologist, cardiologist, allergist.

Diagnosis and examination of ear congestion

To diagnose the disease that caused ear congestion, a careful questioning of the patient, examination of the external ear and auditory canal to the tympanic membrane, audiometric examination is necessary. The infectious nature of the disease is determined on the basis of the clinical picture, otoscopy data and culture of the discharge.

An injury in the ear area is diagnosed using CT radiography.

X-ray of the skull

X-ray examination of the skull to detect violations of the structure and integrity of the bones of the skull of various nature.

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Diagnosis of cholesteatoma is carried out by a doctor on the basis of otoscopy and radiological methods (radiography and computed tomography). Myofascial syndrome and dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint are diagnosed according to radiography and CT of the joints, as well as electromyography.

What should I do if my ear is blocked?

If ear congestion occurs regularly, you should not postpone a visit to the doctor or try to eliminate this condition yourself.

Ear congestion treatment

Elimination of ear congestion is possible only with the treatment of the disease that caused it.

In the case of its infectious nature, antibiotic therapy, anti-inflammatory and analgesic therapy is necessary. Myofascial syndrome and temporomandibular joint dysfunction require bite correction and anti-inflammatory treatment. For tumors and injuries in the ear area, surgical treatment is indicated. With neurological and vascular nature of congestion and hearing loss, vascular and vitamin therapy are connected.

Sources:

1. Clinical guidelines “Otitis externa” (children). Developed by: Union of Pediatricians of Russia, National Medical Association of Otorhinolaryngologists, Interregional Association for Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. – 2021.
2. Clinical guidelines “otitis externa” (adults). Developed by: National Medical Association of Otorhinolaryngologists. – 2021.
3. Clinical guidelines “Otitis media acute”. Developed by: National Medical Association of Otorhinolaryngologists. – 2021.
4. Meniere’s disease: Clinical guidelines. – National Medical Association of Otorhinolaryngologists. – Moscow – St. Petersburg, 2014.
5. Sensorineural hearing loss in adults: Clinical guidelines. – National Medical Association of Otorhinolaryngologists. — Moscow, 2016.

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.
For a correct assessment of the results of your analyzes in dynamics, it is preferable to do studies in the same laboratory, since different laboratories may use different research methods and units of measurement to perform the same analyzes.

Temporomandibular Joint and Tinnitus – Tinnitus Neuro-Tinnitus Treatment

17
Apr
2019

17 Apr 2019 News, Causes of subjective tinnitus Diseases, Types of tinnitus, Pulsating noise, Noise in the head

A close relationship between the pathology of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and tinnitus does not need proof. The same goes for neck problems. Tinnitus is often caused by injuries to the jaw and neck, which we successfully ignore in our youth. But then, when talking, chewing, turning and tilting the head begin to cause tinnitus, many seek medical help. And they do exactly the right thing. Modern medicine has many opportunities to save such patients from annoying and annoying tinnitus.

Contents of the article:

• 1 Features of the TMJ
• 2 How does the pathology of the TMJ manifest itself?
  • 2.1 Diagnosis: where and by whom?
• 3 How to treat?
• 4 Neck problems and tinnitus

TMJ features

The temporomandibular joint is a complex articulation that allows the jaw to move not only up and down, but also sideways. In addition, it is controlled by the most powerful muscles of the human body – chewing.

Problems with it can be different:

1. dislocation of the fibrous disc inside the articular cavity;
2. injury of articular surfaces;
3. excessive muscular effort applied to the jaw;
4. arthritis, as a manifestation of systemic pathology and arthrosis, as a result of wear and tear of the joint;
5. infectious processes spreading to the TMJ from the ENT organs, the mastoid process.

How does TMJ pathology manifest itself?

Typical symptoms for the problems listed above are pain when opening the mouth and tinnitus. The reason for the first is clear: swelling of the capsule, friction of the articular heads. As for tinnitus, things are a bit more complicated here.

First, the masticatory muscles are located next to the muscle fibers that control the structures of the middle ear. Therefore, the excessive tone of the masticatory muscles affects hearing, contributes to the appearance of tinnitus.

Secondly, in the pathology of the TMJ, small ligaments that go from the joint to the auditory ossicles of the middle ear may be involved in the process. Comments are superfluous.

Thirdly, the nerve centers that control the work of the temporomandibular joint are closely connected with the parts of the brain responsible for hearing and interpreting sounds. If one system suffers, then the function of the second is also impaired.

In addition, when the joint is dysfunctional, it begins to make sounds on its own.

And quite characteristic: clicking with each opening and closing of the mouth, creaking, even grinding. Very annoying and stressful condition.

Diagnostics: where and who?

For most patients, it is enough to see a dentist. But it is also worth preparing for instrumental additional examination: X-ray, CT, and sometimes MRI.

In modern conditions, it is even possible to do arthroscopy: to examine the state of the temporomandibular joint with the help of a micro-camera inserted into its cavity.

How to treat?

In many cases, TMJ problems are helped by simple recommendations:

• switch to soft foods;
• relaxing exercises for chewing muscles;
• use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• people with bruxism (teeth grinding at night) should have a special mouth guard fitted.

But sometimes, in order for the noise to finally subside, one has to resort to surgery and even prosthetics of individual structures of the joint.

Neck problems and tinnitus

The cervical spine is very vulnerable, especially in case of an accident. It is also prone to inflammation and osteochondrosis.
Regarding common diseases of the cervical region, we have a separate article on our website (opens in a new tab).

Read about the pathology of the cervical spine

Tinnitus in the neck pathology is often accompanied by psycho-emotional disorders (depression), cognitive (poor memory, difficulty concentrating) and somatic (dizziness) disorders.

Naturally, in order to help such patients get rid of tinnitus, it is necessary to establish the source of the problem as accurately as possible, for which the entire arsenal of techniques (X-ray, CT, MRI) is used. And only after a complete examination, it is possible to draw up an algorithm for the treatment of a particular patient.

The Tinnitus Neuro clinic has everything you need for professional assistance to people with cervicogenic tinnitus: call us 8-495-374-92-03 or contact us through the website.