TMJ Disorders

Posted on August 6, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) affect the temporomandibular joints and muscles around them. The temporomandibular joints help you chew, talk, and move your jaw.

TMD is common in adults and affects up to 12 million people in the U.S., with females being twice as likely to have it. It often starts between the ages of 20 and 40 years old.

Signs and symptoms of TMD can include:

Jaw or face pain
Jaw stiffness or locking
Headaches or migraines
Trouble opening or closing your mouth
Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds
Earaches or ringing
Neck or shoulder pain
Eye pain
Tooth pain

TMD can happen for several reasons, including:

A jaw injury, such as a break or dislocation
Arthritis in the jaw
Teeth grinding or clenching
Stress that causes jaw tension
A misaligned bite

Several habits can make TMD worse, such as:

Chewing on pens, ice, or nails
Taking large bites of food
Daytime clenching or sleeping on your stomach
Using teeth as tools
Poor posture

A healthcare provider can diagnose TMD after performing a physical exam and ordering imaging tests to check how your jaw moves and look for signs of pain or stiffness.

The physical exam may include:

Seeing how wide you can open your mouth
Feeling your joints as you open and close your mouth
Pressing around your jaw to check for tenderness

Imaging tests include:

Dental X-rays
MRIs
CT scans

Treatment for TMD depends on what’s causing your symptoms and their severity. Most people with TMD start treating it with noninvasive options such as medications and nonsurgical therapeutic options, which focus on relaxing your jaw and improving movement.

Medications to treat TMD can include:

Acetaminophen
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen
Muscle relaxers for clenching or grinding
Antidepressants to help with chronic pain

Nonsurgical therapeutic options to treat TMD can include:

Custom mouth guards or splints
Jaw exercises through physical therapy
Ultrasound therapy to relax muscles
Trigger point injections, such as dry needling or steroids
Changing habits, such as avoiding hard foods or improving posture
TENS (gentle electrical currents) to ease tension

If medications or nonsurgical therapeutic options don’t help manage TMD symptoms, a healthcare provider may suggest surgical options, such as:

TMJ arthroscopy
Arthrocentesis to flush the joint
Open-joint surgery for more serious problems

TMD is treatable and rarely causes lasting problems, especially if it is diagnosed and treated early.

If you are experiencing symptoms of TMD, you can schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Dental Medicine. Please call (718) 670-5521.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Autoinflammatory Awareness Month

Posted on August 5, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

August is Autoinflammatory Awareness Month, a month that recognizes the importance of raising awareness and promoting improved care, research, and treatments for autoinflammatory diseases.

Autoinflammatory diseases are rare diseases that stem from the dysregulation of the innate immune system, which is the first responder that reacts quickly to any perceived threats using inflammation as a symptom. These diseases are typically caused by single-gene mutations that affect the inflammatory signaling pathways. These can include:

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF)

TNF Receptor-Associated Periodic Syndrome (TRAPS)

Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS)

These genetic changes cause inflammatory molecules to be released inappropriately, creating the characteristic pattern of episodic attacks or periods of intense inflammation followed by symptom-free intervals.

Additionally, those who have autoinflammatory diseases suffer from systemic inflammation, which includes:

Fevers

Rashes

Abdominal pain

Joint pain

Vomiting and diarrhea

Red eyes

Severe organ inflammation

Most autoinflammatory diseases affect people throughout their entire life. However, a few may develop in adulthood. Many people can have improved quality of life and fewer complications or damage from these complex diseases if they are diagnosed earlier and controlled properly with targeted treatments.

Autoinflammatory diseases can affect anyone. However, certain risk factors cause some people to be affected by autoinflammatory diseases more than others, including:

Familial Mediterranean Fever, which is more common in people of Mediterranean, North African, Middle Eastern, and Sephardic Jewish ancestry

TRAPS and CAPS can occur across ethnic groups, but remain quite rare overall

Family history can play a role as these conditions follow inheritance patterns, although some cases result from new mutations

Autoinflammatory diseases often run in families. When one family member has been diagnosed with FMF, TRAPS, or another autoinflammatory condition, relatives may benefit from getting a genetic screening, especially if they are experiencing any suggestive symptoms.

For families who are planning to have children, understanding carrier status can inform reproductive decisions and help pediatricians watch for early symptoms of infants and young children who may be at risk.

Research into autoinflammatory conditions also contributes to understanding immune dysregulation and cytokine-related disorders, benefiting broader medical knowledge. Raising awareness helps improve diagnosis, treatment, and care for patients with these rare diseases

The goal of Autoinflammatory Awareness Month is to emphasize patient advocacy, education, and global collaboration to enhance the lives of those affected. Autoinflammatory Awareness Month also offers an opportunity to shine light on these often-misunderstood conditions and the biomarkers that can help families and healthcare providers track inflammatory activity over time.

If you or your child experiences recurrent unexplained fevers, particularly with a pattern of accompanying symptoms, consider seeking an evaluation at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

Emotional Fatigue

Posted on August 4, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

When stress from negative or challenging life events occurs repeatedly without adequate recovery, you may find yourself feeling emotionally worn out and drained. This is known as emotional fatigue or exhaustion. Although emotional fatigue is most associated with workplace burnout, it can happen outside occupational contexts in:

Anyone whose emotional labor consistently exceeds their capacity to restore

Caregivers supporting ill or dependent family members

Individuals processing prolonged grief, trauma, or stress

People in chronic, conflict-heavy relationships

Parents of young children or children with complex needs

Emotional fatigue falls between ordinary stress, which most people can bounce back from quickly, and clinical disorders such as major depression or anxiety disorders. If it is left unaddressed, it frequently progresses toward both.

Emotional fatigue can present itself as emotional, physical, and performance signs and symptoms.

Emotional symptoms include:

Depression

Anxiety

Apathy

Irritability

Difficulty making decisions

Feeling hopeless

Feeling powerless or trapped

Lack of focus or forgetfulness

Lack of motivation

Negative thinking

Tearfulness

Nervousness

Physical symptoms include:

Persistent headaches or migraines

Heart palpitations or chest tightness

Fatigue

Poor sleep

An elevated susceptibility to illness

Nausea or upset stomach

Lack of appetite

Sore muscles or muscle tension

Performance symptoms include:

Performing work duties more slowly

Difficulty completing daily tasks for responsibilities

Failing to meet deadlines

Isolation or avoidance

Increased absences

Lower workplace commitment

You can address emotional fatigue by identifying the stressors you can reduce or prevent. When you are unable to change a stressor because it is out of your control, it is important to focus on the here and now. Try to focus on the various neutral and positive events that are happening. Focusing on these types of events can give you a better perspective about what is happening around you, allowing you to shift your focus away from the stressors.

Your body can often interpret stress as a threat to your survival. When this occurs, your brain releases stress hormones throughout your body, which can contribute to your emotional fatigue. As you focus on neutral or positive events in your life, your brain learns that the threat is not as bleak as it may seem. The amount of stress hormones released decreases, causing you to feel more emotionally balanced.

Some other strategies that can help reduce emotional fatigue include:

Practicing mindfulness to engage in the present moment

Eliminating or minimizing the stressor when possible

Identifying and challenging unhelpful thoughts and replacing them with balanced thoughts

Eating a healthy, balanced diet

Exercising

Getting adequate sleep

When emotional fatigue is addressed early, it often clears considerably with the proper rest and load reduction.

If you are experiencing emotional fatigue, you can discuss your signs and symptoms with a mental health professional. They can help you sort through the causes and symptoms you’re experiencing to determine a plan that will help you regain a sense of well-being.

To learn more about our mental health services or to schedule a virtual appointment, call (718) 670-5316 to speak with our intake coordinator or call (718) 670-5562 to reach the clinic.