Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) / Temporal Arteritis - FAQs

FAQs

1. Which doctors treat temporal arteritis?

Rheumatologists or general physicians treat temporal arteritis. Eye complications are treated by ophthalmologists or eye specialists.

2. Is only the temporal artery affected?

The temporal artery is often affected, though any medium or large artery could be affected.


3. Can temporal arteritis affect younger age group than 50 years?

In younger patients another form of arteritis called Takayasu's Arteritis (TAK) can affect medium and large sized arteries but affects primarily of the aorta (the main blood vessel that leaves the heart) and its branches that supply blood to the arms, abdominal organs, legs and the head.

4. What will happen if no treatment is taken or the treatment is discontinued for Temporal arteritis?

If not treated the prognosis for this condition is extremely poor. Blindness or death resulting from myocardial infarction, stroke, or dissecting aortic aneurysm can occur at any time.

5. What is Polymyalgia Rheumatica?

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is also a form of arthritis that affects older persons but unlike Giant cell arteritis or temporal arteritis it tends to affect arteries of the shoulders, hips and neck. And this is associated with aching and morning stiffness. It causes puffiness with swelling of the hands and feet but is different from rheumatoid arthritis. . Rheumatoid arthritis can affect people of any age and causes swelling of the smaller joints of the hands and feet. PMR and Giant Cell Arteritis are thought to be linked and maybe part of the same disease spectrum, rather than two distinct diseases.

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