Question 1

what conditions besides giant cell arteritis might cause a swollen temporal artery?  is gca likely in 45 year old? (flu-like sx but neg esr, crp).

Accepted Answer

Less likely like: You are young for giant cell arthritis but there can be other reasons . It is best to have your physician have you see s rheumatologist

Question 2

what are the tests for giant cell arteritis?

Accepted Answer

ESR and clinical: The westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate and clinical evaluation are key to the diagnosis.

Question 3

what are the symptoms of giant cell arteritis?

Accepted Answer

Headaches/vision los: Headaches, partial or complete loss of vision, shoulder and hip muscle aches are the most common.

Question 4

what is giant cell arteritis and how dangerous is it?

Accepted Answer

?loss of vision: Temporal arteritis (giant cell arteritis) typically presents with severe pain over the temple and can lead to blindness, but rarely may cause a stroke.  If present, the patient needs to start steroids asap to prevent severe irreversible problems.

Question 5

my sister has developed giant cell arteritis. what is it exactly?

Accepted Answer

GCA: GCA can cause proximal muscle weakness making it hard to climb stairs or get out of a chair; can cause blindness; can cause aortic aneurysms and can cause arterial occlusion of the arm all of which are  treatable or preventable. It is an inflammation of the arteries. Problem typically treated by a Rheumatologist.

Question 6

what is the treatment for giant cell arteritis?

Accepted Answer

Steroids: Corticosteroids are required to control it, monitored according to ESR and symptom relief.

Question 7

what is giant cell arteritis?

Accepted Answer

Vascular inflammatio: It is a specific form of vascular inflammation in which there is inflammatory disruption of vessel lining, usually with visible giant cells, which is often associated with headaches, fatigue, anemia and can produce blindness.

Question 8

what is giant cell arteritis like?

Accepted Answer

Vessel inflammation: Vessel inflammation producing headache, fatigue and often blindness.

Question 9

what is the definition or description of: giant cell arteritis?

Accepted Answer

Giant cell arteritis: Giant cell arteritis is considered a vasculitis where an individual's on body's immune cells attacked the lining of the large blood vessels.  This may be associated with headaches, difficulty chewing, and in severe cases visual changes and even visual loss.  This is an area routinely handled by a rheumatologist.  I am happy to do a consult if needed.

Question 10

could you give me any info regarding the illness giant cell arteritis?

Accepted Answer

Giant cell arteritis: Inflammatory disease of blood vessels most commonly involving large and medium arteries of the head, predominantly the branches of the external carotid artery. It is a form of vasculitis. The most serious complication of gca is permanent blindness, though this can be prevented by prompt treatment with corticosteroids.

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Doctor answers about:

Temporal arteritis giant cell arteritis

A member asked:

What conditions besides giant cell arteritis might cause a swollen temporal artery? is gca likely in 45 year old? (flu-like sx but neg esr, crp).

A member asked:

What are the tests for giant cell arteritis?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of giant cell arteritis?

A member asked:

What is giant cell arteritis and how dangerous is it?

A member asked:

My sister has developed giant cell arteritis. what is it exactly?

A member asked:

What is the treatment for giant cell arteritis?

A member asked:

What is giant cell arteritis?

A member asked:

What is giant cell arteritis like?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: giant cell arteritis?

A member asked:

Could you give me any info regarding the illness giant cell arteritis?

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