Giant
Giant cell arteritis (GCA), also known as temporal arteritis, is an inflammatory disease of blood vessels. Most often, it affects the arteries in the head, especially those in the temples. For this reason, it is often called temporal arteritis. GCA is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
The most common symptoms of GCA are headache, tenderness over the temples, flu-like symptoms, double vision, and difficulty opening the mouth. Other symptoms may include unintentional weight loss, fever, and night sweats.
Causes[edit | edit source]
The exact cause of GCA is unknown. However, it is thought to involve an abnormal immune response. The condition is more common in people of northern European descent, and it becomes more common with age.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
GCA is diagnosed based on the patient's symptoms, physical examination, and laboratory tests. A biopsy of the temporal artery can confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
The main treatment for GCA is high-dose corticosteroids. These drugs reduce inflammation and can help prevent vision loss. Other treatments may be used to manage symptoms and side effects of corticosteroids.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
With early diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis for GCA is generally good. However, the condition can lead to serious complications, including vision loss and stroke, if not treated promptly.
See also[edit | edit source]
Giant Resources | ||
---|---|---|
|
|
Translate to: East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.Contributors: Admin, Prab R. Tumpati, MD