What is Cranial Arterites?

Cranial arteritis is a disorder which involves irritation and injury to blood vessels, particularly the large or medium arteries that divides from the external carotid artery of the neck.

Symptoms of Cranial Arterites

The symptoms are fever, severe headache on one side or the back of the head. Pain in jaw while chewing, vision problems like blurred vision, double vision, reduced vision, weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, muscles aching, excessive sweating.

Causes of Cranial Arterites

Giant cell, cranial, or Cranial arteritis occurs when there is irritation in one or more arteries. It usually occurs in the head, especially in the Cranial arteries that divides from the carotid artery of the neck. affecting multiple medium-to-large sized arteries anywhere in the body.
The cause is still not known but is assumed to be, at least in part, an effect of the immune response.The disorder has been connected with severe infections and high doses of antibiotics. The symptoms occur because of irritation.

Treatment of Cranial Arterites

The aim of cure is to minimize irreversible tissue damage which occurs because of deficiency of blood flow (ischemia).

Corticosteroids such as Prednisone are normally prescribed to minimize irritation.Corticosteroid treatment can be started even before a biopsy proves the diagnosis (to reduce the risk of complications). Aspirin is recommended as well to corticosteroids. Medications that suppress the immune system which is occasionally prescribed to try to minimize the dose of steroids needed.