Giant Cell Arteritis
Giant cell arteritis is an inflammatory disorder primarily affecting arteries in the scalp, neck, and arms, which can lead to serious complications like permanent vision loss or stroke if not treated promptly.
Overview
Giant cell arteritis is a disorder that causes inflammation of your arteries, usually in the scalp, neck, and arms. It narrows the arteries, which keeps blood from flowing well. Giant cell arteritis often occurs with another disorder called polymyalgia rheumatica. Both are more common in women than in men. They almost always affect people over the age of 50.
Symptoms
Early symptoms of giant cell arteritis resemble the flu: fatigue, loss of appetite, and fever. Other symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Pain and tenderness over the temples
- Double vision or visual loss, dizziness
- Problems with coordination and balance
- Pain in your jaw and tongue
Diagnosis
Your doctor will make the diagnosis based on your medical history, symptoms, and a physical exam. There is no specific test for giant cell arteritis, but you may have tests that measure inflammation.
Treatment & Management
Treatment is usually with corticosteroids. Early treatment is important; otherwise there is a risk of permanent vision loss or stroke. However, when properly treated, giant cell arteritis rarely comes back.