What is osteomyelitis of the jaw?

Osteomyelitis vs. osteomyelitis of the jaws?

• I'm little bit confused! does the organism that causes osteomyelitis of the jaw bone differs from the one that causes osteomyelitis of the body! I've read that the agent responsible about jaws osteomyelitis are mainly strep. cocci! while the other which is responsible about body osteomyelitis is mainly staph. aureus! but I'm still confused! so please help.

• Answer:

  Muhammed, Osteomyelitis is a bone infection caused by numerous types of microbial agents. The most common cause of osteomyelitis is the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. The Cleveland Clinic states that osteomyelitis is a serious condition, as it can reduce blood flow to the involved bone. If the bone does not receive a sufficient supply of blood, its tissues can die. Osteomyelitis often affects long bones, such as the humerus or arm bone and the femur or thigh bone, although it can also affect the mandible. Common signs and symptoms associated with osteomyelitis include pain, swelling and warmth in the infected area, fever, nausea, irritability, lethargy and swelling in the ankles, feet and legs. Osteomyelitis occurs in about one in every 5,000 individuals. Osteomyelitis occurs when a bone becomes infected. Though osteomyelitis most often occurs in the bones of the limbs, spine and pelvis, it can also affect the jaw. Osteomyelitis in the jaw is a rare condition that once had been thought incurable, however advances in medicine make the condition treatable. It can present itself in either acute or chronic forms. Osteomyelitis is a serious condition and if proper treatment is not sought, it can destroy your bones. The symptoms for people with osteomyelitis in the jaw include pain and tenderness, swelling around the jaw, drainage in the sinus cavity, loss of teeth, discharging of pus and necrotic bones. Factors that can lead to osteomyelitis include tobacco, anemia, viral infections and malnutrition. Since the condition exhibits symptoms that are common in many other diseases, osteomyelitis can be difficult to diagnose at first. If you have chronic osteomyelitis, debilitating fatigue is also very common symptom. Read more: Osteomyelitis for Jaw Treatment | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5435256_osteomyelitis-jaw-treatment.html#ixzz1pKqwjCLe Read more: Osteomyelitis for Jaw Treatment | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5435256_osteomyelitis-jaw-treatment.html#ixzz1pKqYOWG9 Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/218145-causes-of-jaw-bone-pain/#ixzz1pKowEvhU