Giant cell arteritis/temporal arteritis - Medtick
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Giant cell arteritis/temporal arteritis

What is it?

Giant cell arteritis results in inflammation in the lining of the arteries, most often the arteries in the temples.

Diagnosis Tests

Causes

  • Unknown maybe:
  • Two factors appear to be involved in the development of this condition:
    • Genetics:
      • Certain genes and gene variations might increase your susceptibility.
    • An environmental exposure:
      • New cases of polymyalgia rheumatica tend to come in cycles, possibly developing seasonally.
      • This suggests that an environmental trigger, such as a virus, might play a role.
      • But no specific virus has been shown to cause polymyalgia rheumatica.

Mayo Clinic

Symptoms

  • Throbbing headache that’s usually in the temples?
  • Tenderness in the scalp and temple area?
  • Headache which is on and off or a constant headache longer than 24 hours?
  • General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
  • Jaw pain and/or difficulty chewing, swallowing talking and/or slurred speech and/or difficulty in opening the mouth and /or difficult to eat?
  • High temperature greater than 38°C, 100°F or over greater than 72 hours, chills and sweats?
  • Unintentional weight loss?
  • Shoulder and hip pain and stiffness?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

And/or do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist/Dentist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Giant cell arteritis/temporal arteritis in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

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