Temporal Arteritis

Temporal arteritis is inflammation and damage to the blood vessels that supply blood to the head.

If the inflammation affects the arteries in your neck, upper body and arms, it is called giant cell arteritis.

Causes

Temporal, giant cell, and cranial arteritis occur when one or more arteries become inflamed, swollen, and tender.

Temporal arteritis commonly occurs in the arteries around the temples (temporal arteries). These vessels branch off from the carotid artery in the neck. However, the condition can occur in medium-to-large arteries in other places in the body.

The cause of the condition is unknown. It is believed to be due in part to a faulty immune response. The disorder has been linked to severe infections and the use of high doses of antibiotics.

The problem may develop with or following another inflammatory disorder known as polymyalgia rheumatica. Giant cell arteritis almost always occurs in people over age 50. It is rare in people of African descent. The condition may run in families.

Symptoms

Some common symptoms of this problem are:

Throbbing headache on one side of the head or the back of the head

Tenderness when touching the scalp

Other symptoms can feel like a bad flu, such as:

Excessive sweating

Fever

General ill feeling

Jaw pain that comes and goes or occurs when chewing

Loss of appetite

Muscle aches

Pain and stiffness in the neck, upper arms, shoulder, and hips

Weakness, excessive tiredness

Problems with eyesight may occur, and at times may begin suddenly. These problems include:

Blurred vision

Double vision

Reduced vision (blindness in one or both eyes)

Other symptoms that may occur with this disease, including:

Bleeding gums

Face pain

Hearing loss

Joint stiffness

Treatment

Receiving treatment right away is key to preventing severe problems such as blindness or even stroke. Most of the time, you will receive corticosteroids medicines you take by mouth. These medicines are often started even before a biopsy is done. Your doctor may also tell you to take aspirin. Most people begin to feel better within a few days after starting treatment. However, you will need to take medicine for 1 - 2 years. The dose of corticosteroids will be cut back very slowly. Long-term treatment with corticosteroid medicines can make bones thinner and increase your chance of a fracture. You will need to take the following steps to protect your bone strength.

Avoid smoking and excess alcohol intake

Take extra calcium and vitamin D (based on your health care provider's advice)

Start walking or other forms of weight-bearing exercises

Have your bones checked with a bone mineral density (BMD) test or DEXA scan

You may also need to take other medications that suppress the immune system.

Prevention

There is no known prevention.