BBC personality Zoe Ball revealed earlier this month that she would be leaving the broadcaster’s Radio 2 breakfast show after five years to “focus on family”. Scott Mills will take over from December.
The 54-year-old presenter has taken to social to open up about a health condition she’s been living with.
In an Instagram post on November 28, Ball revealed that she lives with temporomandibular joint disorder (known as TMJ), writing that she wakes up most days “with awful headaches from tension and jaw clenching”.
Keep reading to learn more about the condition, its symptoms and who is most likely to suffer from it.
What are the main symptoms of TMJ?
As Ball stated, jaw tension, clenching and headaches are common symptoms of TMJ.
Dr Liza Osagie of Solice Health said of the condition: “The overriding symptom is that of pain, the commonly noted clicking and popping when opening and closing the mouth but the pain in the joints when even speaking, in addition to eating and yawning, can be intrusive.”
Dr Osagie continues that pain can also move from the jaw down the neck and up to the ears. Headaches, fullness in the ears and tooth sensitivity are other symptoms.
Are there any groups more susceptible to TMJ?
According to Dr Osagie, TMJ is very common in women aged between 20 and 40. “Studies have shown that hormonal fluctuations lead to a greater risk in developing TMJ dysfunction, specifically the role of oestrogen in perimenopause.”
She explains that lifestyle factors can also exacerbate TMJ symptoms, including stress and anxiety. “Those who grind and clench their teeth are also at risk of developing disorders,” Dr Osagie said.
What should you do if you think you have TMJ?
Speaking with your doctor and your dentist can be beneficial in diagnosing TMJ, Dr Osagie said.
How can you alleviate the symptoms at home?
Hot and ice therapies, retraining the muscles via physiotherapies and stress-reducing remedies are all options that provide at-home relief for the condition.
Although not an at-home remedy, receiving masseter botox injections has been shown to help prevent teeth grinding and relieve the pain brought on by it.
