Definition:
Giant cell arteritis which is also called temporal arteritis is a disease the affects the blood vessels commonly the large and medium arteries in the head by inflammation. The name temporal artiritis come from the most involved vessel, which is the temporal artery. The giant cell arteritis was given because it reflects the type of inflammatory cell that is involved which can be seen on the biopsy.
Diagnosis:
A person who is suspected with this kind of disease needs to have a physical exam, laboratory tests and biopsy.
Treatment:
As soon as symptoms starts showing up; a patient must start taking corticosteroids even before diagnosis has been confirmed by the biopsy. Steroids do not cure the diagnosis. Changes cause by the steroids will be observed in the first week of treatment and becomes more difficult to identify after two months.
Symptoms and Signs:
Females are the most affected with giant cell arteritis those men. It starts at the age of about 70 years old and it is very rare for people who are less than 50 years old. The patients will experience fever, headaches, scalp tenderness and sensitivity, pain in the jaw when chewing, blurred vision and sudden blindness. If vision has disappeared in both of the eyes, a medical emergency is needed.
The information on this site is for research purposes only and can not substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Ailments.com is not run by doctors and does not engage in the practice of medicine. Our site is not a medical authority, it is just a research tool for you to use in preparation for consulting with a doctor. We can not guarantee our information is accurate or up to date. Even if a statement made about a medical condition is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms, so you should always consult a doctor. Nothing on our site should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine.
