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Dr. Adams' Alabama Headache Blog
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Sunday, February 28, 2010
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a ringing, swishing or other type of noise that seems to originate in the ear or head.
It is not a single disease, but a symptom of an underlying condition. Nearly 36 million Americans suffer from this disorder. In almost all cases, only the patient can hear the noise.
Tinnitus can arise in any of the following areas: the iner ear, or by abnormalities in the brain. Some tinnitus or head noise is normal. Anything, such as wax or a foreign body in the external ear, that blocks the background sounds will cause us to be more aware of our own head sounds. Fluid, infection, or disease of the middle ear bones or ear drum (tympanic membrane) can also cause tinnitus.
One of the most common causes of tinnitus is damage to the microscopic endings of the hearing nerve in the inner ear. Advancing age, loud noise, and some medications can lead to inner ear problems. Tinnitus can in very rare situations be a symptom of such serious problems as an aneurysm or a brain tumor (acoustic tumor).
It is not a single disease, but a symptom of an underlying condition. Nearly 36 million Americans suffer from this disorder. In almost all cases, only the patient can hear the noise.
Tinnitus can arise in any of the following areas: the iner ear, or by abnormalities in the brain. Some tinnitus or head noise is normal. Anything, such as wax or a foreign body in the external ear, that blocks the background sounds will cause us to be more aware of our own head sounds. Fluid, infection, or disease of the middle ear bones or ear drum (tympanic membrane) can also cause tinnitus.
One of the most common causes of tinnitus is damage to the microscopic endings of the hearing nerve in the inner ear. Advancing age, loud noise, and some medications can lead to inner ear problems. Tinnitus can in very rare situations be a symptom of such serious problems as an aneurysm or a brain tumor (acoustic tumor).
posted by
Dr. Adams
at
6:57 AM
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Thursday, February 25, 2010
Actual Patient Account
DRG was an almost 80 year old maile with a history of Parkinson's Disease that was officially diagnosed in 2002.
When itially seen by Dr. Adams after church one Sunday, he was walking with a shuffling gait, using two canes, was unable to raise his head and had had headaches almost continuously for almost fifty years despite being seen by medical centers and many physcians.
At that time, Dr. Adams inserted a dry wax splint as a trial device. David was able to walk down the hall unassisted for the first time in several years. His posture was immensely improved.
After inserting and balancing an occlusal relation splint, David's headaches were reduced by 90% and his gait improved. He still had some shuffling, but his head was more erect and he was able to breath better. He continued to have dull aches and minimal tenderness to his jaw muscles.
David had an improved quality of life for several years and finally sucumbed to the Parkinson's Disease in October of 2009.
We both thank you for and appreciate your compassionate and generous care that enabled David to be more comfortable during several of his last years.
When itially seen by Dr. Adams after church one Sunday, he was walking with a shuffling gait, using two canes, was unable to raise his head and had had headaches almost continuously for almost fifty years despite being seen by medical centers and many physcians.
At that time, Dr. Adams inserted a dry wax splint as a trial device. David was able to walk down the hall unassisted for the first time in several years. His posture was immensely improved.
After inserting and balancing an occlusal relation splint, David's headaches were reduced by 90% and his gait improved. He still had some shuffling, but his head was more erect and he was able to breath better. He continued to have dull aches and minimal tenderness to his jaw muscles.
David had an improved quality of life for several years and finally sucumbed to the Parkinson's Disease in October of 2009.
We both thank you for and appreciate your compassionate and generous care that enabled David to be more comfortable during several of his last years.
posted by
Dr. Adams
at
7:23 AM
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Monday, February 8, 2010
Estrogen and Inflammation of the Temporomandibular Joint
Estrogen is known to play a role in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and estrogen effects can be mediated by ERalpha present in the TMJ. Cells expressing the estrogen receptor ERalpha are present in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) but changes in expression due to estrogen and inflammation have not been characterized.
Sixteen female rats were divided into two groups such that one group received 17 beta estradiol (E2) and the other was given vehicle (VEH). Groups were then subdivided further, one received injections of saline and the other received Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) within the superior joint space of the TMJ.
The four groups include no E2/saline, E2/saline, no E2/CFA, and E2/CFA. After treatment, the rats were sacrificed, and the TMJ anterior, disc, retrodiscal and synovial tissues were analyzed by western blot and immunocytochemistry.
Positive stained cells were counted using a Nikon epifluorescent microscope.
Results: The western blot showed that ERalpha protein significantly decreased with inflammation. The number of ERalpha-positive cells in the TMJ was not affected by inflammationor 17 beta-estradiol with exception of the retrodiscal tissue.
In the retrodiscal tissue, 17 beta-estradiol significantly decreased the number of ERalpha-positive cells but only in a noninflamed joint.
In conclusion, inflammation and 17 beta-estradiol can modulate ERalpha expression in the TMJ but the effects are tissue specific.
Sixteen female rats were divided into two groups such that one group received 17 beta estradiol (E2) and the other was given vehicle (VEH). Groups were then subdivided further, one received injections of saline and the other received Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) within the superior joint space of the TMJ.
The four groups include no E2/saline, E2/saline, no E2/CFA, and E2/CFA. After treatment, the rats were sacrificed, and the TMJ anterior, disc, retrodiscal and synovial tissues were analyzed by western blot and immunocytochemistry.
Positive stained cells were counted using a Nikon epifluorescent microscope.
Results: The western blot showed that ERalpha protein significantly decreased with inflammation. The number of ERalpha-positive cells in the TMJ was not affected by inflammationor 17 beta-estradiol with exception of the retrodiscal tissue.
In the retrodiscal tissue, 17 beta-estradiol significantly decreased the number of ERalpha-positive cells but only in a noninflamed joint.
In conclusion, inflammation and 17 beta-estradiol can modulate ERalpha expression in the TMJ but the effects are tissue specific.
posted by
Dr. Adams
at
10:55 AM
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comments
DF, actual patient account:
"I've seen a lot of commercials about athlete's getting appliances to increase their balance, strength, and stability. I don't believe they have the same appliance that I wear. I never thought that the cause of all of my headaches, neck and facial pain would have any connection to a joint in my jaw. Dr. Adams called it the "TMJ", I never even knew I had a "TMJ"!
After talking with Dr. Adams and going through a few tests, I was fitted for my new "appliance". It's amazing how quickly my symptoms subsided, even my posture has improved. I highly recommend checking into this for anyone with any type of pain or problems with balance."
"I've seen a lot of commercials about athlete's getting appliances to increase their balance, strength, and stability. I don't believe they have the same appliance that I wear. I never thought that the cause of all of my headaches, neck and facial pain would have any connection to a joint in my jaw. Dr. Adams called it the "TMJ", I never even knew I had a "TMJ"!
After talking with Dr. Adams and going through a few tests, I was fitted for my new "appliance". It's amazing how quickly my symptoms subsided, even my posture has improved. I highly recommend checking into this for anyone with any type of pain or problems with balance."
posted by
Dr. Adams
at
6:24 AM
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Tuesday, February 2, 2010
A discussion of the abstract to determine the frequency and degree of orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD) in a sample of patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD), the dental records of 240 patients with a diagnosis of TMD were reviewed. Mean patient age and mean TMD duration, gender frequency, complaints, and signs and symptoms were calculated. The results show that the sample studied was quite characteristic of a TMD group. The presence of the following signs and symptoms was significant: muscular pain, TMJ pain, joint noise, at least one otologic symptom headache, and neck and shoulder pain. Most subjects presented some degree of OMD, with grade high prevailing over grade low. The importance of evaluating these stomatognathic strutures and functions during the clinical examination of patients with TMD is emphasized.
posted by
Dr. Adams
at
9:35 AM
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