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What Causes Tingling Sensation Around Ear And Jaw?
Question: I suffer of tingling and hot-liquid sensation around my left ear down to my jaw and my head accompanied by headach, pressure and tinnitus since a month. I have long history of sinusitis, rhinitis and tonsillitis.
Brief Answer:
TMJ dysfunction is the most common cause...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting the query. I'll try my best to help you from this problem.
The symptoms described by you are common for various underlying causes. Below mentioned are few common causes.
Temporo-mandibular joint dysfunction is one of the most common causes presenting with the above symptoms.
Other causes such as otitis media (inflammation of the Middle ear) otitis externa (inflammation of the external ear), trigeminal neuralgia and unilateral sinusitis have to be ruled out.
A complete examination of the ear, nose and the throat combined with x-ray of the sinuses and tempromandibular joint will aid in diagnosing the actual cause.
Hope I have answered your query; I'll be available for the follow up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
TMJ dysfunction is the most common cause...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting the query. I'll try my best to help you from this problem.
The symptoms described by you are common for various underlying causes. Below mentioned are few common causes.
Temporo-mandibular joint dysfunction is one of the most common causes presenting with the above symptoms.
Other causes such as otitis media (inflammation of the Middle ear) otitis externa (inflammation of the external ear), trigeminal neuralgia and unilateral sinusitis have to be ruled out.
A complete examination of the ear, nose and the throat combined with x-ray of the sinuses and tempromandibular joint will aid in diagnosing the actual cause.
Hope I have answered your query; I'll be available for the follow up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
I've seen a number of doctors some of them one MFS told me that I have tmj and one told me I have mild tmj and another two said I don't have tmj. I also saw a general surgeon consultant who said I don't have it but it probably because of stress. Among tmj and stress one is the more likely cause of my case. I have used some relaxants and pain killers with no benefit. My problem is causing insomnia for me, could you advise me with a good medication, please?
Brief Answer:
Resting the affected joint is the best treatment..
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
1. The first-line approach to manage TMJ pain typically includes resting the jaw, relaxing the jaw muscles, and doing jaw exercises.
2. Avoid using the affected joint for a week or two, chew soft food on the opposite side, after a week, try to chew equally on both the sides. Eating a soft diet minimizes hard repetitive chewing of crunchy or chewy foods.
3. A short course of an anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) medication such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, etc. are prescribed along with a local analgesic application. If the pain persists, carbamzepine can be tried after consulting your doctor. Your insomnia and the burning sensation will get relieved with the latter medicine.
4. Also, try to get a CT scan and MRI of the temporo-mandibular joint to find out the actual cause of the dysfunction.
5. If the diagnosis is confirmed and all the above treatment methods fail, you can try Prolotherapy.
Hope this clears your doubts.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Resting the affected joint is the best treatment..
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
1. The first-line approach to manage TMJ pain typically includes resting the jaw, relaxing the jaw muscles, and doing jaw exercises.
2. Avoid using the affected joint for a week or two, chew soft food on the opposite side, after a week, try to chew equally on both the sides. Eating a soft diet minimizes hard repetitive chewing of crunchy or chewy foods.
3. A short course of an anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) medication such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, etc. are prescribed along with a local analgesic application. If the pain persists, carbamzepine can be tried after consulting your doctor. Your insomnia and the burning sensation will get relieved with the latter medicine.
4. Also, try to get a CT scan and MRI of the temporo-mandibular joint to find out the actual cause of the dysfunction.
5. If the diagnosis is confirmed and all the above treatment methods fail, you can try Prolotherapy.
Hope this clears your doubts.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
I was told it's the stress and anxiety not tmj, what do you think?
Brief Answer:
Stress can worsen TMJ related issues...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing back
They are partially right. Stress can infact worsen the TMJ Dysfunction, due to spasm of the muscles around the temporo-mandibular joint. Once the muscles go in for spasm, it gives rise to various symptoms similar to the one you are experiencing.
Similarly, stress can irritate the trigeminal nerve, thus giving rise to the above symptoms.
Hence, I would suggest you to get an opinion from the facio-maxillary surgeon also, to rule out TMJ related issues.
Hope this clarifies your doubts.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Stress can worsen TMJ related issues...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing back
They are partially right. Stress can infact worsen the TMJ Dysfunction, due to spasm of the muscles around the temporo-mandibular joint. Once the muscles go in for spasm, it gives rise to various symptoms similar to the one you are experiencing.
Similarly, stress can irritate the trigeminal nerve, thus giving rise to the above symptoms.
Hence, I would suggest you to get an opinion from the facio-maxillary surgeon also, to rule out TMJ related issues.
Hope this clarifies your doubts.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
But the 3 doctors who told me that I don't have tmj built their decision as they didn't hear popping and clicking when they asked me to opening and closing my mouth and I I don't have pain in the area inside my ears when they examine my case, furthermore, they said that the tingling can not be related to tmj. But I still feel the tingling concentrated around my left ear.
Brief Answer:
Clicking noises is not the Hallmark of diagnosis..
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing back
1. Popping sound made during the movement of TMJ is not the Hallmark of diagnosis of TMJ dysfunction. Correlating the history given by the patient and the findings of the ear and TMJ helps in making the diagnosis. According to the symptoms described you, I don't see any other conditions which can fit into this.
2. Capsular stretching and the reduction of the synovial fluid in the joint cannot be determined by the examination alone, an MRI and CT scan of the joint is required to make a diagnosis. Opinion from a facio-maxillary surgeon would be beneficial in this regard.
3. At the same time, we need to rule out Trigeminal neuralgia. Trigeminal neuralgia presents with similar symptoms.
Hope this clarifies your doubts.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Clicking noises is not the Hallmark of diagnosis..
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing back
1. Popping sound made during the movement of TMJ is not the Hallmark of diagnosis of TMJ dysfunction. Correlating the history given by the patient and the findings of the ear and TMJ helps in making the diagnosis. According to the symptoms described you, I don't see any other conditions which can fit into this.
2. Capsular stretching and the reduction of the synovial fluid in the joint cannot be determined by the examination alone, an MRI and CT scan of the joint is required to make a diagnosis. Opinion from a facio-maxillary surgeon would be beneficial in this regard.
3. At the same time, we need to rule out Trigeminal neuralgia. Trigeminal neuralgia presents with similar symptoms.
Hope this clarifies your doubts.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
I want to recommend me to a good medicine that could relief my pain and tingling, please
Brief Answer:
You can try carbamazepine...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing back
Initially you can try with potent oral analgesics such as ibuprofen or diclofenac. If you are not getting better, you can try carbamazepine twice a day along with a local analgesic gel application. Avoid using the joint for a week; chew on the unaffected side and eat soft food.
I wish you good health and good luck.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
You can try carbamazepine...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing back
Initially you can try with potent oral analgesics such as ibuprofen or diclofenac. If you are not getting better, you can try carbamazepine twice a day along with a local analgesic gel application. Avoid using the joint for a week; chew on the unaffected side and eat soft food.
I wish you good health and good luck.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
I tried the above mentioned medicine and many pain killers to stop the twitching and sadly with no benefit or improvement. What do you advice me now? The twitching is spreading to many parts of my body?
Brief Answer:
Try with Gabapentine and get an ENG done...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
First of all, if you feel the twitching or fasciculation is spreading to the other parts, get an EMG done to rule out any neurological dysfunction and fibromyalgia.
If you have already tried with the above medicines, then you check out with your doctor regarding the usage of Gabapentine. Gabapentin is effective in reducing the frequency and severity of twitching and any associated sleep disturbances.
Inadequate magnesium intake can also cause twitching. Most of the adult population does not consume the recommended daily amount of magnesium; inadequate intake may also be a common cause. Treatment consists of increased intake of magnesium from dietary sources such as nuts (especially almonds), bananas, and spinach.
I cannot suggest you anything more than this due of lack of confirmation of the diagnosis.
I wish you good luck and good health.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Try with Gabapentine and get an ENG done...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
First of all, if you feel the twitching or fasciculation is spreading to the other parts, get an EMG done to rule out any neurological dysfunction and fibromyalgia.
If you have already tried with the above medicines, then you check out with your doctor regarding the usage of Gabapentine. Gabapentin is effective in reducing the frequency and severity of twitching and any associated sleep disturbances.
Inadequate magnesium intake can also cause twitching. Most of the adult population does not consume the recommended daily amount of magnesium; inadequate intake may also be a common cause. Treatment consists of increased intake of magnesium from dietary sources such as nuts (especially almonds), bananas, and spinach.
I cannot suggest you anything more than this due of lack of confirmation of the diagnosis.
I wish you good luck and good health.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Second question, what's the difference between of the symptoms of nasal virus infection and bacterial infection?
Brief Answer:
Fever may or may not be in viral
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing back
1. Viral infection of the nose is accompanied by symptoms such as running nose, nasal stuffiness, headache, with or without fever and body ache.
2. Bacterial infection of the nose presents with symptoms of nasal stuffiness, fever, headache/heaviness of the head, thick and purulent discharge (yellowish or greenish discharge) from the nose, throat pain, cough with expectoration, headache, with or without fever.
Hope this clarifies your doubts.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Fever may or may not be in viral
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing back
1. Viral infection of the nose is accompanied by symptoms such as running nose, nasal stuffiness, headache, with or without fever and body ache.
2. Bacterial infection of the nose presents with symptoms of nasal stuffiness, fever, headache/heaviness of the head, thick and purulent discharge (yellowish or greenish discharge) from the nose, throat pain, cough with expectoration, headache, with or without fever.
Hope this clarifies your doubts.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Can the long and random use of antihistamines (pills & sprays) and other sorts of medicines be related to my problem?
Brief Answer:
No, it's unusual to have this after using sprays..
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
It is very unusual to develop the above symptoms with long term use of antihistamines or nasal sprays.
If at all any problems should arise because of the long term use of nasal spray, it can be fungal sinusitis. As the sinusitis has already been ruled out by your doctors, you don't have worry about this.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
No, it's unusual to have this after using sprays..
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
It is very unusual to develop the above symptoms with long term use of antihistamines or nasal sprays.
If at all any problems should arise because of the long term use of nasal spray, it can be fungal sinusitis. As the sinusitis has already been ruled out by your doctors, you don't have worry about this.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Brief Answer:
TMJ dysfunction with myofascial dysfunction...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing back
Chronic unilateral sinusitis can be diagnosed with an X-Ray or CT Scan of the paranasal sinuses. The tenderness is usually noticed over the cheekbones, the fullest parts of your cheeks when you smile.
Tenderness inside the ear while opening and closing the mouth is most probably related to the TMJ dysfunction. Whereas the tenderness behind the ear radiating to the neck could be related to myofascial dysfunction syndrome secondary to TMJ problems.
The treatment for the latter condition is muscle relaxants, powerful anti inflammatory drugs, local application of analgesic gel along with jaw resting and eating soft food.
If the symptoms do not improve, you may require short course of oral steroids. Even after this, if the improvement is not noticed then intra-articular injection is given.
Hope this clarifies your doubts. Revert back to me if you have any follow up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
TMJ dysfunction with myofascial dysfunction...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing back
Chronic unilateral sinusitis can be diagnosed with an X-Ray or CT Scan of the paranasal sinuses. The tenderness is usually noticed over the cheekbones, the fullest parts of your cheeks when you smile.
Tenderness inside the ear while opening and closing the mouth is most probably related to the TMJ dysfunction. Whereas the tenderness behind the ear radiating to the neck could be related to myofascial dysfunction syndrome secondary to TMJ problems.
The treatment for the latter condition is muscle relaxants, powerful anti inflammatory drugs, local application of analgesic gel along with jaw resting and eating soft food.
If the symptoms do not improve, you may require short course of oral steroids. Even after this, if the improvement is not noticed then intra-articular injection is given.
Hope this clarifies your doubts. Revert back to me if you have any follow up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
I was diagnosed with cervicalagia by an ENT and a neurologist, what do you think?
Brief Answer:
I doubt Cervicalgia
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
Cervicalgia has different set of symptoms which varies from that of what you have.
Cervicalgia is a spine related problem wherein the pain starts from the back of the neck and radiates to the front. It doesn't cause tinnitus or pain around the ear.
If the TMJ problem is co-existing with spine issues, then they would have diagnosed the latter.
Any how, for the both the conditions the treatment remains almost the same. Hence, you can follow the doctors instructions and see whether you feel better with that treatment.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
I doubt Cervicalgia
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
Cervicalgia has different set of symptoms which varies from that of what you have.
Cervicalgia is a spine related problem wherein the pain starts from the back of the neck and radiates to the front. It doesn't cause tinnitus or pain around the ear.
If the TMJ problem is co-existing with spine issues, then they would have diagnosed the latter.
Any how, for the both the conditions the treatment remains almost the same. Hence, you can follow the doctors instructions and see whether you feel better with that treatment.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Many physicians told me that TMJ doesn't cause tingling except one and you the second. One MFS said the symptoms of tmj vary from person to another.i am using a medication course cosists of panadol joint, Brexin and Neurobion. Do you treated patients with tmj having similar symptoms of mine? And if yes, what did you prescribed for them? Ihave tried many medicines to relieve tingling but no improvement obtained? What do you suggest for me?
Brief Answer:
The patients with TMJ dy are treated in 3 steps...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing back
Below are the links of few journals which may be helpful to you.
http://www.jaoa.osteopathic.org/content/111/2/102.full
http://www.tmjdisorders.com/ear-pain-ear-stuffiness-and-tinnitus.aspx
http://www.tinnitus.org.uk/TMJ
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2014/582414/
Initially, I treat my patients with analgesics, muscle relaxants (such as tizanidine or orphenadrine) and local analgesic gel. Also, few life style modifications and change in dietary habits.
If the initial steps fail, then a short course of oral steroids would be given. If the patient fails to respond even with the above treatment, the intra-articular steroid injections will be given. Most of the patients do respond within the first or second step. Very rarely, did I require to give intra-articular injections.
My sincere suggestion to you is to consult a good MFS and get a thorough evaluation done, rather than doing doctor shopping and taking multiple treatments. Stress will worsen your problem, hence, avoid it as much as possible.
Hope this clarifies your doubts. I wish you good luck and good health.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
The patients with TMJ dy are treated in 3 steps...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing back
Below are the links of few journals which may be helpful to you.
http://www.jaoa.osteopathic.org/content/111/2/102.full
http://www.tmjdisorders.com/ear-pain-ear-stuffiness-and-tinnitus.aspx
http://www.tinnitus.org.uk/TMJ
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2014/582414/
Initially, I treat my patients with analgesics, muscle relaxants (such as tizanidine or orphenadrine) and local analgesic gel. Also, few life style modifications and change in dietary habits.
If the initial steps fail, then a short course of oral steroids would be given. If the patient fails to respond even with the above treatment, the intra-articular steroid injections will be given. Most of the patients do respond within the first or second step. Very rarely, did I require to give intra-articular injections.
My sincere suggestion to you is to consult a good MFS and get a thorough evaluation done, rather than doing doctor shopping and taking multiple treatments. Stress will worsen your problem, hence, avoid it as much as possible.
Hope this clarifies your doubts. I wish you good luck and good health.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty
Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Practicing since :2001
Answered : 2543 Questions
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