TMJD and Bulimia - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

mrsumer · 05-19-2003, 06:01 PM

Hello all,
I haven't been back to the board because of a hetic work schedule, but I would like to throw out this item. Has anyone had a problem with bulimia prior to TMJD? I had forgotten, because I did not think the two were related, but I was bulimic for about a year prior to my TMJD issues. I did some (little) research on the web and found that there was a Correlation between TMJD and bulimia. I haven't had the nerve to ask my TMJD DMD Dentist if he has any knowledge to confirm this ideology. Just wanted to ask if anyone thought the two might be related. I am guessing that bulimia is more prevelant in women than in men. I had treatment and haven't been bulimic in about a year or so. My last symptom of TMJD, tinnitus has subside to almost not existant levels, only when I am very stressed out does it become bothersome. I am still wearing a splint, but hope...hope...repeat hope to diminish wearing time gradually. Take care.

TiffanyAnn · 05-19-2003, 06:53 PM

Hi:
I'm guessing the only real correlation between TMJ and bulimia would be that when a person is bulimic they most usually stick their finger down their throat to make themselves throw up and in order to do that you must open your mouth very wide thereby either causing or adding to the TMJ.
Tiffany

05-19-2003, 11:22 PM

Mrsumer ,
Out of curiousity , I once asked my TMJ doc about the correlation between bulimia and TMJ. Mine was not caused by this but I thought it would be good to know. He says starvation or lack of good nutrition can cause problems in the muscles and bones. The disks especially , because they can be deprieved of calcium and get worn down. Which can lead to osteo arthritis...Or like Tiffany said opening the mouth wide too often and bothering the throat muscles isn't good , either. I forget what else he said , but he did ask me if I was ever bulimic or anorexic. Hope this helps... I'm so sorry that you have TMJ because of another disorder. Take good care of yourself and let us know how you're doing.
Katte 28

Cymy Sue · 05-20-2003, 12:59 AM

Just a thought from an "Old Timer" with TMJD.

I've never suffered bulimia and have to be really sick to throw up.
With badly damaged joints for years, the few times I have thrown up caused my joints to flare-up awful with pain & muscle spasms. Once, several years ago, after an episode of food poisoning, it felt like it pulled the my joints out of position for several days.

I don't know medically what this does, but from experience, I believe it puts a terrible strain on the TM joints.

Cymy Sue

refluxvictim · 06-23-2010, 01:06 PM

Hey dear,

yes, TMJ is related to Bulimia. Let me tell you why- first, the acids in your stomach now can escape into your esophagus up to your jaw, when it hits the jaw nerves, you get an inflammations on that area, and the nerves also hurt, and you have TMJ...

now youre asking why can the stomach acids escape?

because the muscle (lower esophagus sphincter) is so so weak due to previous purging/vomitting...

I have TMJ because of bulimia; the TMJ is a result of SILENT/chronic "GERD"...the gerd I have is because my Lower esophagus sphincter muscle is ruined, this very precious muscle that keeps the acids down in the stomach; this little muscle is ruined because the purging weakened it...and ruined it.

This is how i deal with the silent GERD that causes TMJ
1. sleep in a sitting position
2. avoid bending down
3. try protein pump inhibitors EVERY day with probiotic
4. watch my diet
5. have my esophagus monitered on endoscopy

i have severe silent GERD
it is painful

do you chew and spit too?
I do sometimes ...it increases the silent GERD and TMJ.
let me know.

please stop purging as soon as possible. the esophagus may be permanently damaged, and that muscle weakens to a point food may start to go back up.

i only had bulimia for 6 months, but developed this severe severe silent chornic gerd; the GERD causes my TMJ, sinus damage, and painful esophagus/throat burns.

God bless.