Overview
Giant cell arteritis is an inflammation of the lining of your arteries, most commonly affecting the arteries in your head, especially those in your temples. It is also known as temporal arteritis. The inflammation causes the arteries to swell, narrowing blood vessels and reducing blood flow to the body's tissues. Symptoms include headaches, scalp tenderness, jaw pain, and vision problems. Untreated, it can lead to blindness. Prompt treatment with corticosteroid medications usually relieves symptoms and may prevent loss of vision. However, relapses are common, and regular checkups and treatment of side effects from corticosteroids are necessary.
Understanding the disease
Symptoms
The symptoms of giant cell arteritis include persistent, severe head pain, usually in the temple area, scalp tenderness, jaw pain when chewing or opening the mouth wide, fever, fatigue, unintended weight loss, vision loss or double vision, and sudden, permanent loss of vision in one eye. The condition is commonly associated with polymyalgia rheumatica, which causes pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, or hips. Prompt treatment with corticosteroid medications can relieve symptoms and prevent vision loss. Regular checkups with the doctor are necessary to manage any side effects from taking corticosteroids.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for developing giant cell arteritis include age (most commonly affecting adults over 50, particularly those between 70 and 80 years old), sex (women are more likely to develop the condition than men), race and geographic region (most common among white people in Northern European populations or of Scandinavian descent), having polymyalgia rheumatica, and family history.
Development
The document mentions that giant cell arteritis develops when the lining of arteries becomes inflamed, causing them to swell. This swelling narrows the blood vessels, reducing blood flow and the supply of oxygen and vital nutrients to the body's tissues. The condition is thought to involve abnormal attacks on artery walls by the immune system, and certain genes and environmental factors might increase the susceptibility to the condition. However, the exact cause of giant cell arteritis is not known.
Assessment and Diagnosis
Triage
You should see a doctor if you develop new, persistent headache or any of the signs and symptoms listed above, such as scalp tenderness, jaw pain, fever, fatigue, unintended weight loss, or vision problems. Starting treatment as soon as possible can usually help prevent vision loss.
Diagnosis
To diagnose giant cell arteritis, your doctor will start by asking about your symptoms and medical history. They will perform a thorough physical exam, paying attention to your temporal arteries for tenderness, reduced pulse, and a hard, cordlike feel. Blood tests, such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (sed rate), C-reactive protein (CRP), and positron emission tomography (PET), may be recommended to help diagnose the condition and monitor your progress during treatment. A biopsy of the temporal artery is considered the best way to confirm the diagnosis. Imaging tests like Doppler ultrasound, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), or computed tomography angiography (CTA) may also be used to diagnose and monitor the condition. It's essential to follow your doctor's instructions and prepare a list of your symptoms, medical history, medications, and questions to ask during your appointment.
Management and Treatment
Complications
Complications of giant cell arteritis can include organ damage, blood clots and aneurysms, vision loss or blindness, infections, and aortic aneurysm. Vision loss or blindness is a possible complication of untreated giant cell arteritis, and it can also lead to aortic aneurysm. Other potential complications include stroke, which is an uncommon complication of the condition. It is important to seek prompt treatment with corticosteroid medications and visit your doctor regularly for checkups and treatment of any side effects from taking corticosteroids.
Home Remedies
It is important to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment recommendations for giant cell arteritis.
Treatment
Prompt treatment with corticosteroid medications is usually effective in relieving the symptoms of giant cell arteritis, such as headaches, scalp tenderness, jaw pain, and vision problems. Corticosteroids help reduce inflammation in the arteries, improving blood flow and alleviating symptoms. After starting treatment, you may begin to feel better within days. However, despite treatment, relapses are common, so regular checkups with your doctor and ongoing management of side effects from corticosteroids are necessary. It's important to seek medical attention promptly if you experience new, persistent headaches or any of the signs and symptoms listed above, as early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent vision loss.
Preparing for medical consultation
To prepare for an appointment for giant cell arteritis, make a list of your symptoms, personal information, medications, and questions to ask your doctor. It's helpful to bring a friend or family member along to help remember the information provided during the appointment. Consider asking questions such as the likely cause of your symptoms, other possible causes, necessary tests, treatment options, potential side effects of medication, the duration of medication, long-term prognosis, risk of recurrence, management of other health conditions, dietary changes or supplements, and any available printed materials or recommended websites. Also, be prepared for your doctor to ask questions about the severity, frequency, and factors that improve or worsen your symptoms.