can TMJD affect your breathing? can it cause a lack of breath, or is that very rare? i know it can cause a sensation of something in your throat, and a tight throat, but can it negativly affect your breathing?
Good morning John -
Well John, funny thing you should ask. At the height of my TMD symptoms, I had shortness of breath & chest pain. I have noticed that not alot of people on the board experience that. After my "I must vent" post, I started researching the NIH site to see if there was anything new at all out there in regard to TMD.
Well, I found an article, published by the National Heartl, LUng & Blood Institute (NHLBI), the article was publsiehd in Dec 2001. It talks about the affects of some patients with TMD and the cardiovascular system.
Here is the link: [url="http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/meetings/workshops/tmj_wksp.pdf"]www.nhlbi.nih.gov/meetings/workshops/tmj_wksp.pdf[/url]
From this article, it states that approx. 12% of the population in the US has some form of TMD, which is about 34 million people, with a large percentage being women. It is an eye opening article. I only hope that due to the lack of education by the NIH, NIDR, ADA to all medical/dental Drs, has not caused me permanent cardiovasucular damage.
I found this article yesterday, I have questioned if I should post it or not, not wanting to cause fear in people. However, with your question being posted, I just felt like it is what I suppose to do. TMD is nothing to be taken lightly, if they had caught mine much earlier in life, I would not be in the boat I am today. I can only thank my lucky stars that I found Dr B who understands ALL of the affects of TMD and is helping me get my life back together. He is a rare bird for sure.
Take care
Diane
Absolutely. I had a Stress Test and Pulmonary Function Test last Jan. due to periods of shortness of breath. Both tests showed I had no heart or lung problems. (I'm 50, so both test were a good idea, anyway)
I've been to the ER a couple of times with shortness of breath, they always say it's anxiety, but I'm not nervous or anxious. (I got a letter of apology from the Hosp. Adm. last time, because I wrote a formal letter of complaint regarding being written a scipt for ativan and shoved out the door, without any tests or investigation. IT WAS NOT ANXIETY)
I've had 2 Sleep Studies in the last 3 years, at different facilities, because I make a strange noise at night. I do not have apnea.
The last Sleep Specialist told me it had to be related to the TMJD in some manner and wanted to do another study and see if they could pinpoint the problem. He believed it was possibly muscular. Maybe some type of laxity in the throat muscles. This is a relatively new theory of problems caused by TMJD, so he was not sure what could be happening.
I didn't go back. I do not make the noise very frequently now with my splint and when I do it's not very loud, but I still make a little noise. The splint in some way, has helped.
I still occasionally feel short of breath, for brief periods and it's not anxiety.
Since then, I've seen several lists of TMJD symtoms that include breathing problems and I had seen the information Diane posted.
I had everything checked because I was concerned. Nothing showed up, so I don't have the reason or the answer.
I would advise anyone who feels "shortness of breath" or a "hard to breath feeling" to be checked as I was.
I would never assume it's the TMJD.
Diane, this is important information and needs to be brought to everyone's attention. Thank you........
simple question 
