| Meniere's Disease Help

Image showing temporal jaw bone and muscles around the ear

TMJ disorder, Meniere’s disease, and dizziness are all conditions that can be incredibly disruptive to one’s daily life. While they are distinct conditions, there is often a significant overlap between them, with TMJ disorder and Meniere’s disease frequently causing dizziness and other balance problems. In this article, we will explore the connection between TMJ, Meniere’s disease, and dizziness, including their causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and management options.

Causes

TMJ disorder is a condition that affects the temporomandibular joint, which connects the jawbone to the skull. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury to the jaw, stress, grinding or clenching of the teeth, and arthritis.

Dizziness can be caused by a wide range of factors, including inner ear disorders, such as Meniere’s disease, as well as neurological conditions, low blood pressure, medication side effects and musculoskeletal imbalances including TMJ.

Symptoms

TMJ disorder can cause a wide range of symptoms, including pain and tenderness in the jaw, difficulty chewing, clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing the mouth, and headaches.

Meniere’s disease can cause vertigo (a spinning sensation), tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and hearing loss.

Dizziness itself can cause a range of symptoms, including lightheadedness, feeling faint, a spinning sensation, and loss of balance.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing TMJ disorder and Meniere’s disease can be challenging, as their symptoms can be similar to those of other conditions. A healthcare professional will typically perform a physical examination, take a medical history, and may order imaging tests or blood tests to help diagnose these conditions.

Dizziness can be diagnosed through a variety of tests, including balance tests, hearing tests, and neurological exams.

Treatment

Treatment options for TMJ disorder and Meniere’s disease vary depending on the severity of the condition and the individual’s symptoms. Treatment options for TMJ disorder may include medications, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and, in severe cases, surgery. Treatment options for Meniere’s disease may include medications to manage symptoms, such as anti-nausea medications, and vestibular rehabilitation therapy to improve balance.

Dizziness treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the condition. Treatment options may include medications, lifestyle changes, or vestibular rehabilitation therapy.

Management

Managing TMJ disorder, Meniere’s disease, and dizziness requires a multi-disciplinary approach, involving a combination of medications, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and, in some cases, surgery. Lifestyle changes may include avoiding certain foods, practicing good posture, and reducing stress.

It is also important for individuals with these conditions to be proactive in managing their symptoms, such as by keeping a diary of their symptoms and triggers, and working closely with healthcare professionals to develop a personalized treatment plan.

Conclusion

TMJ disorder, Meniere’s disease, and dizziness are all conditions that can significantly impact one’s quality of life. While they can be challenging to diagnose and manage, there are various treatment options available, both traditional and complementary. It is essential to seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms related to TMJ, Meniere’s disease, or dizziness, as early diagnosis and treatment can help manage the conditions and prevent further complications. If you experience any of these symptoms, do not hesitate to contact your healthcare provider to discuss your treatment options and find the best approach for your specific needs.

By understanding the connections between TMJ, Meniere’s disease, and dizziness, you can take the necessary steps to manage your symptoms and improve your overall quality of life. With the right treatment plan and management strategies, it is possible to live a fulfilling life despite these conditions.

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References/Further reading:

“TMJ Symptoms.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 17 Apr. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tmj/symptoms-causes/syc-20350941.
“Meniere’s Disease.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 7 Oct. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menieres-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20374910.
“Dizziness and Vertigo.” American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 13 Apr. 2021, www.enthealth.org/conditions/dizziness-and-vertigo/.
Lee, A. T., et al. “Temporomandibular Joint Disorders and Associated Comorbidities.” Current Pain and Headache Reports, vol. 23, no. 10, 2019, p. 72. PubMed, doi:10.1007/s11916-019-0813-3.
Callahan, L. F., et al. “Temporomandibular Disorder and Comorbid Pain Conditions in a National US Sample.” Journal of Orofacial Pain, vol. 33, no. 1, 2019, pp. 11–20. PubMed, doi:10.11607/ofp.2316.
He, Z., et al. “Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Evidence of Structural Changes in the Temporomandibular Joint Disc in Patients with Meniere’s Disease.” The Journal of International Medical Research, vol. 47, no. 1, 2019, pp. 120–28. PubMed, doi:10.1177/0300060518814589.
Wiet, R. J., et al. “Dizziness and Otalgia.” The Journal of Family Practice, vol. 58, no. 6, 2009, pp. 322–27.
Jafari, S., et al. “Association between Temporomandibular Disorders and Vertigo: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.” The Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, vol. 46, no. 2, 2019, pp. 166–75. PubMed, doi:10.1111/joor.12734.
Schrepf, A., et al. “Pain and Inflammation in Patients with Meniere’s Disease: An Observational Study.” Frontiers in Neurology, vol. 8, 2017, p. 265. PubMed Central, doi:10.3389/fneur.2017.00265.
“Diagnosis and Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders.” NIH National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 3 Dec. 2018, www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/tmj/more-info/diagnosis-and-treatment.

Help other sufferers. Do you have experience with TMJ and Meniere’s type symptoms? Let us know all about it in the comments box below or email Mike at meniereshelp@gmail.com

Can the symptoms of Meniere’s Disease be caused by Dental Work?

It is relatively common for people to contact Meniere’s Disease Help who had dental work done prior to the onset of their symptoms, have dental problems, or who have amalgam fillings. All of these have been linked to Meniere’s.

Meniere’s disease caused by root canal work is also a possibility. Root canals toxicity is a controversial topic. Dentistry in general calls the possible negative effect on health throughout the body from root canals a myth.

However biological dentists do not agree. Root canal removal is a common treatment carried out by biological dentists.

In addition to that Meniere’s Help often receives emails from Meniere’s sufferers who claim the onset of their symptoms followed root canal work.

A paper at ScienceDirect.Com discusses the possible links with dental issues and Meniere’s disease here is a summary:

Meniere’s disease may be caused by common intraosseous dental pathology

– Diagnosis using the comparative compression sign

Summary
“Meniere’s disease has been ascribed to a disturbance of the vestibular apparatus or its connections within the Central Nervous System.

Several hypotheses have been advanced regarding its aetiopathogenesis, but treatments based on these hypotheses have often not produced the desired results.

Two cases are described where common intraosseous pathology within the lower half of the functional face, i.e. within the mandible and maxillae, was shown to be the cause of Meniere’s disease.

Together, these cases contributed to the chance discovery of the comparative compression sign which, when able to be elicited, may be considered pathognomonic for a dental origin of the condition.

It is suggested that, in addition to other hypothesized causes involving the vestibular apparatus and the CNS, Meniere’s disease and vertigo may also be caused by common, readily-identifiable intraosseous dental pathology.

These unexpected findings open up a new field for future research.”

a23 Rechov Atzmon, Ramat Hasharon 47287, Israel

Root canal toxicity and the symptoms of Meniere’s disease

Studies have shown that there is a link between gum disease and serious chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, respiratory disease, and cancer, and emerging evidence has shown that root canals pose the same health risks.

It would seem root canal capping can trap toxic bacteria in the gum. The bacteria would normally not be a problem but the root canal can trap it. That’s when it becomes toxic and cannot escape. It has to go somewhere and this leads to problems.

Possible effects can be:

Infection after root canal: After the root canal procedure, the infection can progress inside or outside the location that the root canal was performed
Accumulation of unwanted materials: Cholesterol crystals can accumulate and irritate the tissues where the root canal was done, as well as scar tissue or cystic lesions
Immune system response: The procedure can cause an overactive immune response in your body, causing negative health impacts
Toxic materials used in filling: Many dentists use materials such as amalgam to fill the tooth after a root canal is performed, which can be detrimental to your health due to mercury and other metals in the filling material

It is claimed that the health of your mouth can be directly linked to the health of your overall body.

Dr. Gerald Smith, International Center for Nutritional Research:

15 years of vertigo caused by a root canal treated tooth

“Duncan A. suffered sever vertigo for fifteen years. He had to sleep with two pillows to counteract the spinning sensation. He was also unable to fly.

Medical examination at Johns Hopkins University, Hershey Medical Center and numerous neurologists failed to diagnose Duncan’s underlying cause.

Duncan came in for an extended examination. A major red flag went up when Duncan mentioned he had a lower left second molar that was treated with root canal therapy.

When the tooth was tested by means of an energetic technique it showed the presence of infection with cytomegalovirus. Also this same virus was present in his left inner ear, which was the same side Duncan experienced his vertigo.

Treatment involved specific nutrients and home treatment with his own Rife machine. Two months into treatment his left ear popped open and his vertigo vanished. Duncan has been free of all his vertigo symptoms for the past several years.”

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Amalgam mercury and Meniere’s disease

Oral health and Meniere’s disease

Click here to read Managing Meniere’s Disease

Click here to read The Need for Balance – Dealing with the Causes of Meniere’s

Did your Meniere’s symptoms start following dental work? Tell us all about it in the comments box below or email Mike at meniereshelp@gmail.com