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Can the Brain Make TMD Worse?

The chronic pain of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) can be debilitating and interfere significantly with daily life.

Electric Stimulation of the Brain to Relieve Pain

It has been known for decades that the brain has its own pain-relieving chemicals. They are called endogenous “opioids,” because of...

Brain Signals Help the Spread of Persistence of Pain

Neuroscientists have long sought to explain how recovery from an acute injury can sometimes give rise to chronic pain—and not always in the...

Estrogen's Impact on TMD Pain Your Responses

In our March 2013 issue of TMJ News Bites we asked: "Do...

Don't be Fooled By False Claims

Health fraud scams can do more than waste your money. They can cause serious injury or even death, says Gary Coody, R.Ph., the FDA’s...

Associated Conditions

Aug 13, 2010

What Conditions May Overlap with TMJ Disorders?

Millions of Americans suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, endometriosis, fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome, temporomandibular disorders, and vulvodynia.

Current research indicates that these conditions frequently coexist or 'overlap,' yet all of the disorders are poorly understood. Research on the overlap of these conditions is in its infancy, so we don't know how/why they are connected. There are many unanswered questions. Some people suffer from two conditions, while others have three or more.  In some cases, individuals suffer from one condition for many years before developing a second or third.  In other cases, individuals experience symptoms of several conditions simultaneously.

The following are health conditions that may co-exist with TMJ Disorders:

Allergies Irritable bowel syndrome
Cardiac arrhythmias Meniere's Disease
Chronic fatigue syndrome Movement disorders
Chronic headaches - migraine & tension Multiple chemical sensitivity
Dizziness Rheumatoid arthritis
Ear pain Sleep disorders or disturbances
Endometriosis Tinnitus (ear ringing)
Fibromyalgia Vestibular Disorders
Generalized pain conditions Vulvodynia
Interstitial cystitis  
   

Following our fifth scientific meeting,view TMJ Science, Volume 5, Number 1, June 2009 (.pdf), six independent nonprofit organizations came together to form the Overlapping Conditions Alliance (OCA).

The OCA promotes research into the underlying connection(s) between coexisting conditions.  As part of this effort, the Alliance has informational websites - www.overlappingconditions.org and www.EndWomensPain.org.

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This website is for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This website is not a substitute for such advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always consult your doctor if you have questions about your health condition or before starting any treatment. The TMJA is unable to provide doctor referrals and does not endorse any particular health care professional or organization. Reliance on any information provided by TMJA, TMJA employees, others appearing on the website at the invitation of TMJA, or other visitors to the website is solely at your own risk.

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