PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — About one in 20 people has difficulty chewing food. A common reason for that was known as temporomandibular joint syndrome.
TMJ was first described in detail decades ago. The classic signs are difficulty chewing, headaches, and a clicking in the jaw.
However, with more study of aggressive cases — and the use of MRI technology as part of the evaluation — doctors have become aware that the disorder represents far more than just a problem in the jaw.
TMJ as a diagnosis has been replaced by the term “temporomandibular disorders,” or TMD. Causes include overuse or strain of the muscles and joints of the jaw, trauma to the area, infection and even autoimmune diseases. And symptoms are now known to include a ringing in the ears, neck pain, dizziness and hearing loss.
KYW Newsradio’s Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.