INFORMATION ON GIANT CELL ARTERITIS

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) may be defined as inflammation of the lining of arteries (the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from heart to the rest of body).
Giant cell arteritis can also affect the arteries in neck, upper body and arms. But giant cell arteritis mostly occurs in the arteries located in head.
Giant cell arteritis frequently causes headaches, jaw pain, and blurred or double vision, but the most serious potential complications are blindness and, less often, stroke.

CAUSES OF GIANT CELL ARTERITIS

The factors which are responsible for the development of giant cell arteritis are:-

1. Swelling at the lining of the blood vessels.
2. Clotting of the blood.

SYMPTOMS OF GIANT CELL ARTERITIS

The various symptoms shown by the subject suffering from giant cell arteritis:-

1. Double vision.
2. Scalp tenderness
3. Jaw pain while chewing.
4. Pain and stiffness in your neck, arms or hips.
5. Sudden, permanent loss of vision in one eye.

DIAGNOSIS OF GIANT CELL ARTERITIS

In order to detect the presence of giant cell arteritis following clinical test must be performed:-
1. Blood test.
2. X-ray.
3. Biopsy.

TREATMENT OF GIANT CELL ARTERITIS

The treatment for giant cell arteritis should begin as soon as possible because of the risk of loss of vision. For treating giant cell arteritis, high doses of corticosteroids are usually given, typically 40-60 mg of prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone, etc.) per day. Headaches and other symptoms subside quickly, and the sedimentation rate declines to a normal range. If the diagnosis is strongly suspected, treatment can be started before the diagnosis has been confirmed by temporal artery biopsy.