Journal Of Orofacial Pain Reports High Number Sleep Apnea Syndrome Patients Have TMD (TMJ) Symptoms

PRLog (Press Release) - Nov 11, 2009 -
The J Orofac Pain. 2009 Fall;23(4):339-44 has a pare "Prevalence of temporomandibular disorders in obstructive sleep apnea patients referred for oral appliance therapy." that describes frequent TMJ disorders in non-obese patients with mild to moderate Sleep Apnea Syndrome.    The study included Eighty-seven patients (46 men and 41 women), between 18 and 65 years of age, with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of > 5 and < 30.  52% of the patients reported TMD symptoms evaluated according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) to determine the presence of signs and symptoms of TMD.   The most commonly reported symptoms was myofascial pain and arthralgia.  The patients included patients with normal and limited mouth opening.  75% reoported chronic pain.  

These figures agree with a report by the NHLBI that considers sleep apnea to be a TMJ disorder.  That report "CARDIOVASCULAR AND SLEEP-RELATED CONSEQUENCES OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS" can be found at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/meetings/workshops/tmj_wksp.pdf

The problem with sleep apnea is that most patients cannot tolerate CPAP, long considered the Gold Standard of treatment.  More and more patients who are CPAP intolerant or who want a comfortable CPAP alternative are learning about dental sleep medicine at http://www.ihatecpap.com a website dedicated to oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea.  Oral appliances that treat apnea are often similar to TMJ treatment appliances.  This study reported that myofascial pain was present in a large number of patients.  A new website is now available to help patients suffering from chronic migraines and headaches.  The website focuses on utilizing Neuromuscular Dentistry to treat headaches without excessive drug use.  

I HATE Headaches LLC has created http://www.ihateheadaches.org to bring the benefits of Neuromuscular Dentistry to the public.  Sleep and Health Journal had a recent article on Neuromuscular Dentistry reprinted that was originally published in Contact a publication of the American Equilibration Society.  Neuromuscular Dentistry can be found at http://www.sleepandhealth.com/neuromuscular-dentistry

"SUFFER NO MORE:  DEALING WITH THE GREAT IMPOSTER" IS ALSO AVAILABLE FROM SLEEP AND HEALTH JOURNAL AT http://www.sleepandhealth.com/story/suffer-no-more-dealing-great-impostor  It is a must read for patients withTMJ problems.

Patients who are tired of being tired and want an alternative to CPAP should visit www.ihatecpap.com and patients with Migraines tension-type headaches and TMJ disorders shoud visit www.IHATEHEADACHES.org  Patients in Northern Illinois, Chicago, North Shore and Southern Wisconsin can contact Dr Shapira's office for treatment of Sleep Apnea, TMJ disorders and treatment  of migraines and headaches with Neuromuscular Dentistry