Giant Cell Arteritis (Temporal Arteritis)

Description

An inflammation of the lining of your arteries. Most often, it affects the arteries in your head, especially those in your temples. For this reason, it is sometimes called temporal arteritis. It frequently causes headaches, scalp tenderness, jaw pain and vision problems. If untreated, it can lead to blindness.

Common Symptoms

• Persistent, severe head pain, usually in the temple area
• Scalp tenderness
• Jaw pain that occurs or worsens when chewing (jaw claudication)
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Sudden, painless vision loss in one eye

Common Causes

• The exact cause is unknown, but it's believed to involve an autoimmune attack on the body's own arteries. Age and a history of polymyalgia rheumatica are risk factors.

Treatment Information