Giant cell arteritis, also known as temporal arteritis, is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the arteries of the bloodstream, and causes symptoms such as headache, fever, stiffness and weakness of the masticatory muscles, anemia, tiredness and, in cases more severe, can lead to blindness.
This disease is detected by the doctor through physical examination, blood tests and biopsy of the artery, which demonstrate inflammation. Treatment is guided by a rheumatologist, and despite not having a cure, the disease can be very well controlled with the use of drugs, especially corticosteroids, such as Prednisone.
Temporal arteritis is more common in people over 50 and the elderly, and although its cause is still unclear, it is known to be related to imbalance in the immune system. This disease is a form of vasculitis, a type of rheumatic disease that affects the blood circulation and can cause the involvement of various parts of the body. Understand what a vasculitis is and what it can cause.
Main symptoms
Inflammation in the walls of blood vessels causes generalized symptoms that hinder the circulation of the affected blood vessel, especially the temporal artery, located on the face, in addition to others such as ophthalmic, carotid, aorta or coronary arteries, for example.
Thus, the main signs and symptoms are:
- Head or scalp pain, which can be strong and throbbing; Sensitivity and pain in the temporal artery, which is located on the side of the forehead; Pain and weakness in the jaw, which arise after talking or chewing for a long time and improve with rest; Recurrent and unexplained fever; Anemia; Tiredness and general malaise; Lack of appetite; Weight loss;
Serious changes, such as vision loss, sudden blindness or aneurysms, can happen in some cases, but can be avoided with the identification and treatment, as soon as possible, by the rheumatologist.
In addition to these symptoms, it is common for temporal arteritis to be accompanied by polymyalgia rheumatica, which is another disease that causes inflammation of the muscles and joints, causing pain in the body, weakness and discomfort in the joints, especially the hips and shoulders. Learn more about polymyalgia rheumatica.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of temporal arteritis is made through clinical evaluation by the general practitioner or rheumatologist, in addition to blood tests, which demonstrate inflammation, such as elevated ESR levels, which can reach values above 100mm.
The confirmation, however, is made by biopsy of the temporal artery, which will demonstrate inflammatory changes directly in the vessel.
How the treatment is done
The treatment of giant cell arteritis is done to relieve symptoms and prevent vision loss, with the use of corticosteroids, such as Prednisone, in high doses, guided by the rheumatologist. The use of medicines is done for at least 4 months, varying according to the improvement of symptoms.
In addition, the doctor may also recommend painkillers and antipyretics, such as paracetamol, to relieve symptoms such as fever, tiredness and general malaise, if they arise.
The disease can be well controlled with treatment and usually goes into remission, but it can recur after some time, which varies with the response of each person's body.
