I have a swelling after chewing hard food. Please advice?

Question

Hi doctor,

I get a swelling on the temple after chewing on hard food, for example, steak or candy. The swelling goes down after I stop eating, but the area feels numb for a long time after that. What can cause this? I have chronic urticaria and MGUS.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have carefully reviewed your health query and will answer your concerns.

The issues you mentioned are related to mastication (chewing). It is a process where you have to put a lot of energy, and the muscles of mastication are widely used. It seems there is some neuropathy causing the muscles of mastication to get fatigued.

Other symptoms like swelling and numbness can be a feeling due to the same muscles spasms. Local edema (fluid accumulation) can also be a reason behind the swelling.

Regarding MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance), I want to add that it can lead to multiple myeloma, so keep an eye on your health. Keep a timely follow-up with your treating physician.

I suggest you try using anti-inflammatory medications like Acetaminophen, which can help you. Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her and start using the medicine after there consent.

Also, ask your physician to take care of urticaria, as this can be an additive factor. You have chronic urticaria, and that may also contribute to local swelling of tissues.

Hope it helps. Please let me know if I can be of further help to you.

For further queries consult an internal medicine physician online.