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Monday, 13 August 2012

Lockjaw And Its Relationship To TMJ and Tetanus

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By C. Weinrich


Lockjaw is a word usually used to describe ailments such as TMJ and tetanus. However, tmj and tetanus causes are very dissimilar because TMJ is not capable of causing death, while tetanus is.

To comprehend lockjaw causes you must first be aware of what type is being talked about since 'lockjaw' is just a condition of tetanus or tmj rather than the real name of the disease.

Why don't we have a look at the two independently to have a better appreciation of what leads to lockjaw.

TMJ, a temporomandibular disorder can potentially lead to lockjaw in some patients, but this is brought on by some of the other symptoms of TMJ, which can lead to muscle spasms and inflammation in the jaw. These spasms are the cause of the jaw temporarily locking, this is no, however, life-threatening, although very painful.

The jaw is not really "frozen" with TMJ, it is the swelling and pain that could make the mouth harder to open or the wearing of the joint may cause it to "stick" temporarily. However, anti-inflammatory medication use is what normally will help to get the TMJ under control.

Unlike TMJ, tetanus is a very serious affliction, that can cause several muscle spasms in the jaw and thereby cause it to "lock" and make the normally simple processes of speaking and eating very challenging. Tetanus is caused by bacteria that finds its way into a deep cut or wound.

A vaccine for tetanus exists that is supposed to be injected every ten years but oftentimes it is given after the injury happens. For instance, if you were to stroll outside barefoot and step on a rusty nail - this would certainly be a hot bed for contracting way to contract tetanus and to get the vaccine right away is the smartest thing to do.

The tetanus onset will be prevented by the vaccine if it is given shortly after the injury.

If a person contracts tetanus and is not attended to, it could lead to death as the muscle spasms continue to worsen and can even have an effect on breathing since the muscles that control breathing start to spasm, making breathing more difficult or impossible.




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1 comment:

  1. I need some advice please. Recently, my jaw has gone into a spasm so severe that I can hardly open my mouth. There is a hard 'ball' (feels like a golf ball) on the side of my right ear. Apparently, this is a side effect of a prescription drug, Alendronate/Cholecalciferal. My GP said I must stop taking the meds (1 tab weekly), which I will do. I did, however, take one yesterday before she told me to stop. I was given these tabs after falling down a flight of stairs last October and fractured 2 vertbrae. Would a Tetanus injection help with this kind of pain? I'm desperate for any solution as I can hardly open my mouth. Thanking you in advance ...

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