Zoe Ball's TMJ condition and symptoms you should never ignore as star opens up about 'awful' pain

BBC broadcaster Zoe Ball has opened up about her battle with a relatively unknown illness that causes the star to suffer from awful headaches. Here's everything you need to know on TMJ

Much-loved Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball recently announced her departure from her long-running breakfast show - and now she has let fans in on her struggle away from the airwaves.

The mum-of-two said she wanted to focus on her family after six years, with the broadcaster taking a break this summer after her mum Julie Peckham died of pancreatic cancer. Now, Zoe has opened up about a painful health condition she suffers from called temporomandibular joint disorder, known as TMJ or TMD.

According to the NHS, which calls the condition TMD, this affects 'the movement of the jaw. It's not usually serious and generally gets better on its own'. But the star shared on Instagram the struggle she was having with the condition, saying: "I have TMJ and wake most days with awful headaches from tension and jaw clenching.

"So grateful to Helen @sculptresslondon for her magic. This is my face after I've seen her, check out my face before - yikes - picture 2." Zoe revealed more details of the treatment she was undergoing to help and asked her followers for their signs and symptoms.

She said: "Also having microsuction on the old ears at the weekend (in the good old days ear syringing was free on the NHS, now they won't do - so £60 to have wax removed). This can also be common with those who have TMJ. Just interested to know if others have these conditions."

Common TMJ/TMD symptoms to watch out for

According to the NHS website, there are five common symptoms to look out for when it comes to the condition. They are:

• pain around your jaw, ear and temple
• clicking, popping or grinding noises when you move your jaw
• a headache around your temples
• difficulty opening your mouth fully
• your jaw locking when you open your mouth

Pain from TMJ can worsen when you feel stressed or are chewing food. It can also cause insomnia.

How to ease them

When it comes to helping TMJ, eating soft food, taking paracetamol or ibuprofen and massaging your painful jaw muscles can all be of use. The official advice also includes using an ice pack or heat pack wrapped in a tea towel and applied to the jaw, or trying to find a way to relax.

Things to be avoided include biting food with your front teeth, chewing gum or pen tops and yawning widely. Biting your nails and clenching your teeth can also be bad news for TMJ.

When to seek urgent medical help

While TMJ usually gets better without treatment, if any of the following symptoms occur the NHS advice is to call 111 or make an urgent GP appointment:

• if you're unable to eat or drink
• if you have clicking, popping or grinding noises when you move your jaw
• if you have difficulty opening your mouth fully or your jaw is locking
• if you have pain around your jaw, ear or at the side of your head
• if you have frequent, severe headaches
• if you have pain or tenderness at the side of your head or on the scalp
• if you have vision problems, such as double vision or loss of vision in one or both eyes