Question 1

does temporal arteritis just affect in their 50's or can i afect young men too?

Accepted Answer

It certainly could: Disease does not follow the usual pattern in the majority of cases.  Classical circumstances are found in textbooks not clinics.

Question 2

what is temporal arteritis?

Accepted Answer

Risk of blindness: It is form of auto-immune disease causing inflammation of blood vessels, not just teporal artery. Patients are at high risk of blindness due to involvement of blood vessels in the eye.  The disease can be controlled with stroids (prednisolone).
It is also called giant cell arteritis, usually occurs in older people, may be associated with fever and constitutional symptoms.

Question 3

how can i treat temporal arteritis?

Accepted Answer

Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids like Prednisone and Prednisolone whic are strong medications that block inflammation which is important in temporal arteritis  because there is a risk of blindness in untreated patients. The blindness occurs because  there are inflammed  blood vessels called arteries - hense the term arteritis - can block the flow  of blood flow interferring with eye function. These need monitoring.

Question 4

what are the signs of temporal arteritis?

Accepted Answer

Head pain: Localized pain over the temple and swollen temporal artery can presage blindness, and even a stroke, and clues can be found with blood tests.  The diagnosis may require a temporal artery biopsy.  Treatment with steroids can control the process.

Question 5

what are the tests for temporal arteritis?

Accepted Answer

ESR and clinical: Sedimentation rate is usually significantly elevated, but clinical judgement is just as important.

Question 6

do a lot of people get temporal arteritis?

Accepted Answer

No: There are  certain populations that are  at  risk including those of scandinavian ancestry, but it  can be found in all populations including blacks, asians, etc there is not a clear  picture to predict  who gets it but these are generalizations.

Question 7

symptoms of temporal arteritis should be what?

Accepted Answer

Multiple: Excessive sweating
    fever
    general ill feeling
    jaw pain that comes and goes 
    loss of appetite
    muscle aches
    pain and stiffness in the neck, upper arms, shoulder, and hips
    throbbing headache on one side of the head or the back of the head
    scalp sensitivity, tenderness when touching the scalp
blurred vision
double vision
blindness
weakness
weight loss.

Question 8

can you tell me more about temporal arteritis?

Accepted Answer

Form of vasculitis: Also called giant cell arteritis this condition causes inflammation in large blood vessels usually affecting the temporal arteries. Other vessels may be involved but the temporal arteries found near the temple are most commonly involved. At its worst, this could cause loss of vision in one or both eyes. It may often be associated with acheness in the upper arms and legs called poly myalgia rheumat.

Question 9

what if predisones doesn't help for temporal arteritis?

Accepted Answer

Usually does!: Prednisone usually helps.  But the damage caused by the condition may not be reversible with prednisone treatment.  Headache, fatigue, etc. should improve with prednisone (usually required long term with slow taper).  If there is vision loss or changes, it is usually permanent.

Question 10

what kinds of symptoms would suggest temporal arteritis?

Accepted Answer

There are many: Temporal arteritis(ta) is an inflammation of the arteries.  It  is an autoimmune process.  The signs and symptoms are related to the location of the inflammation.  This inflammation leads to swelling of the internal canal of the artery resulting in decreased blood flow.  Severe headache, jaw pain, scalp tenderness, visual loss,  sometimes fever, weight loss, muscle aches, occur.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Temporal arteritis

A member asked:

Does temporal arteritis just affect in their 50's or can i afect young men too?

A member asked:

What is temporal arteritis?

A member asked:

How can i treat temporal arteritis?

A member asked:

What are the signs of temporal arteritis?

A member asked:

What are the tests for temporal arteritis?

A member asked:

Do a lot of people get temporal arteritis?

A member asked:

Symptoms of temporal arteritis should be what?

A member asked:

Can you tell me more about temporal arteritis?

A member asked:

What if predisones doesn't help for temporal arteritis?

A member asked:

What kinds of symptoms would suggest temporal arteritis?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?