TMD can often cause many complications. One of these complications is insomnia. Insomnia itself is not life threatening, but it can increase the risk of accidents, psychiatric issues, and certain medical conditions, affect school and work performance, and significantly inhibit quality of life. Lack of sleep can also contribute weight gain and obesity.
Sleepiness increases the risk for driving accidents. Studies indicate that drowsy driving is just as risky as driving drunk.
Studies show that people with severe insomnia have a quality of life that is nearly as poor as those who have chronic conditions, such as heart failure. Daytime sleepiness can lead to decreased energy, irritability, mistakes at work and school, and poorer relationships.
Studies also suggest that insomnia makes it harder to concentrate and perform tasks. Deep sleep deprivation impairs the brain’s ability to process information and diminishes concentration.
Although there are many causes of insomnia, insomnia may also increase the activity of the hormones and pathways in the brain that can produce emotional problems. Research indicates that chronic insomnia can increase the risk of developing depression and anxiety or make prevalent an underlying problem.
Even small alterations in waking and sleeping patterns can have significant effects on a person’s mood. In both children and adults, the combination of insomnia and daytime sleepiness can produce more severe depression than either condition alone.
Many people experiencing insomnia are completely unaware, as many people with sleep disorders usually are. Those with jaw pain or TMD may wake several times during the night due to jaw pain without even realizing it. The doctors at the Headache & TMJ Center of New Jersey are specially trained to alleviate this type of pain and get you sleeping soundly again.
Call today for a complimentary consultation at 855.TMJ.DOCS or 855.865.3627 and let the doctors at the Headache & TMJ Center of New Jersey help you get out of pain and sleeping soundly again!
