TMJ Headaches Vs Migraines

A throbbing, persistent headache is a frustrating and debilitating ailment, making it difficult to work or perform everyday tasks. Headaches are especially frustrating if a medical professional is unable to diagnose their root cause. In some cases, persistent headaches similar to migraines are best treated not by a general physician or neurologist, but by a neurological dentist.Causes of HeadachesHeadaches can occur due to numerous factors. Most of the more common causes of headaches are relatively harmless, but some headaches indicate a serious and sometimes even life-threatening condition.If you suffer from persistent headaches, it is important to consult with a doctor to try to determine the underlying cause. Causes of headaches include:• Tension
• Eyestrain
• Head injury
• Neurological problems
• TumorsOne particularly difficult type of headache to treat is a migraine headache. Migraines often occur with other unpleasant symptoms accompanying the initial headache. Nausea, visual disturbances such as auras, and extreme sensitivity to light and noise are common side effects of migraines. Some migraines seem to be caused by constriction of blood vessels in the brain. Others might be due to neurological causes. Depending upon the specific symptoms and suspected cause of your migraines, your doctor might recommend different treatments ranging from avoiding triggers to taking various medications.TMD HeadachesAnother difficult type of headache to treat is headache caused by temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD. TMD headaches occur when the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) becomes misaligned, causing compression or irritation to craniofacial nerves. TMD headaches can be persistent and painful and are often mistaken for migraines.If you have persistent headaches that have eluded diagnosis or that do not respond to traditional treatment, they might be due to TMD. An experienced neurological dentist can diagnose and treat your TMD, bringing relief for pain that might have been plaguing you for years.Neurological dentists are specially trained to diagnose and treat TMD, placing the TMJ back into proper alignment and relieving stress and pressure on the muscles and nerves of the face, jaw, neck and skull. Although TMD often causes headaches similar to migraines, it also leads to other uncomfortable symptoms, including:• Jaw pain
• Clicking in the jaw
• Earache
• Neck and shoulder painIf you suffer from any of these symptoms, a consultation with a neurological dentist could lead you to a definitive diagnosis and long-term help for your pain.