These days, we’re all affected by the stress of the economy, but some of us are feeling it more than others. One condition leaves some dealing with a pain in the neck, shoulders and mouth.
“Go to bed stressed, wake up the next day with worse TMJ,” said Okorie Okorocha who goes through every day with headaches and jaw pain. . “It’s almost like a routine.”
The source of his pain? Problems with the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ.
The author of “TMJ” Dr. Andrew Kaplan, says symptoms seem more prevalent when times get tough.
“I am seeing more patients because of what’s going on in the economy,” said Kaplan, “and the patients interestingly that I tend to see are people whose jobs are in danger of being lost.”
and women make up for the majority of cases, said Dr. Kaplan.
“We certainly see 4 to 5 women for every man treated for TMJ disorder, but we don’t know if women are more prone to seek medical care or if women are more prone to get a TMJ problem,” he said.
In some cases, it mimics earaches, sinus infections or an abscessed tooth. In mild cases, a soft diet can help, so can cold or hot compresses. Patients are told to refrain from opening their mouths too wide. In severe cases, a mouth guard is recommended.
“We find that in about 80% to 85% patients, that decreases muscle activity and translates to a patient that feels better,” said Kaplan.
Anti-inflammatory medication or muscle relaxants may also be used, as well as physical therapy. Okorocha uses a special mouth guard. He said when his stress level goes down, so does his pain.
“TMJ eases up for me a ton when my life gets easier,” said Okorocha.
Some other tips to help avoid TMJ include avoid sleeping on your stomach, which can strain your neck and jaw muscles. Also, try exercise, yoga and meditation to reduce your stress levels.
ArrivaCostaRica.com is the primary web site for information about plastic surgery and dentistry in Costa Rica. See www.arrivacostarica.com