Here are some tips to handle temporal Arteritis (GC, Giant Cell Arteritis). Of course you should consult a doctor if any symptoms of the disease manifest. However, the following information can help. GCA is a condition wherein one or more arteries swell or are inflamed.
What You Can Do
Calcium and vitamin D supplements can help patients recover from the condition. These two are particularly effective in dealing with corticosteroid long term side effects. Aside from taking the medication prescribed by your doctor, you can do the following. Take daily walks; this will help your body.
You can also perform some weight lifting exercises, but only light ones. Smoking should be avoided. Alcohol intake has to be reduced if not totally removed. You can also take bone mineral density (BMD) tests to check your bones. You should also take any medications or supplements suggested by your doctor.
Cause
The cause is unknown, but insufficient immune response is likely. It is also related to serious infections. People who take a lot of antibiotics are usually susceptible.
Treatment
The objective of all treatment is to limit damage to the tissues. This can happen due to restricted blood flow. The most commonly prescribed are corticosteroids. These are taken usually before a biopsy is ordered. A biopsy is used to verify the condition. Some doctors give their patient aspirin as well. Most cases require patients to take the medication for at least two years. As the condition improves, the dosage is reduced. If any side effects are felt, consult your doctor.
The process is long, but if you follow these tips to handle temporal arteritis, the prognosis is good. The majority of patients make a full recovery.
Health Complications
You could suffer a stroke or feel eye muscle weakness. Others experience sudden vision loss or develop aneurysms (enlargement of blood vessels). Complications usually arise when the condition is not treated.
Symptoms
Mouth sores, joint pains, heavy sweating and fever are the most common symptoms. Other indicators are muscle aches, loss of appetite and a general ill feeling. There is pain in the jaw when you chew food. Many people report feeling stiffness on the hips, neck shoulder or the upper arms. Headaches concentrated on a side of the head are frequent.
Other indicators of the condition are weight loss, gets tired quickly and reduced vision. In extreme cases blindness occurs. Others experience double vision, blurred vision, and scalp sensitivity. Some people report joint stiffness, hearing loss, face pain and bleeding gums. Nearly half of those with temporal arteritis report general symptoms such as pain or weakness in nerve areas, dry cough, and in a few cases, muscle paralysis.
Many of these symptoms are similar to other diseases. Only a few of these symptoms will manifest in a single patient. Sometimes only a single sign will show up (i.e., persistent fever).
Tests and Examinations
While these tips to handle temporal Arteritis can help, always consult a doctor if the symptoms appear. They will perform a variety of tests. A head exam is performed. The doctor may check your scalp for signs of sensitivity.
Blood tests are usually done. This exam will check your hematocrit, C-reactive protein and sedimentation rate. Your liver will also be examined. However, the diagnosis will not end with a blood test. A biopsy is also needed so a direct tissue examination may be performed.
jenny richards is a free lancer writer and content builder of http://www.temporalarteritis.org/