She gets points for compassion, but unfortunately not for helping me find the root of the problem.
I was diagnosed with TMJ when I was 17. I was lucky enough to go to high school with someone who's father was a Craniomandibular Specialist on campus at Stanford University. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint disorder. Wikipedia states it perfectly:
TMJD is acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the mandible to the skull. The disorder and resultant dysfunction can result in significant pain and impairment.
I went back to my doctor, who confirmed that part of my struggle was with my jaw so he designed two splints for me to wear daily and nightly. This is slowly correcting my bite and easing the pressure and pain in my head. If I take the splint out, within minutes a heavy headache appears in my head. The pressure throughout my skull is awful, and it intensifies if the sunlight reaches my eyes. Sunlight is a Catch-22. With too much sun, you can get skin cancer. I avoid the sun since it intensifies my headaches, but my lab results as of two weeks ago show that my results are at 19, when the lowest should be around 32. Now I am at risk for more infection and chronic inflammation. See your doctor about getting on VITAMIN D Supplements and getting your levels between 32 and 100. That is where normal levels are supposed to be.
TMJ Symptoms:
- Bloodshot eyes
- Blurring of vision
- Eye pain above, below and behind eye
- Pressure behind eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Watering of the eyes
- Migraines
- Forehead pain
- Cluster headaches
- "Sinus Type" headache
- Hair and/or scalp painful or sensitive to touch
- Headaches at the back of the head, with or without shooting pain
If you feel like you are suffering from TMJD, find a specialist to help you so you won't be in so much pain!
No comments:
Post a Comment