D2I2.
autoimmune

Giant cell arteritis

Giant cell arteritis (GCA), also called temporal arteritis, is an disease of large blood . It is the most common type of vasculitis affecting adults. Symptoms may include headache, pain over the temples, flu-like symptoms, double vision, and difficulty opening the mouth. can include blockage of the to the eye with resulting blindness, as well as dissection, and aortic . GCA is frequently associated with polymyalgia rheumatica.

Underlined words are explained — tap any of them.

Symptoms — what it feels like

  • ·Headache, pain over the temples, flu-like symptoms, double vision, difficulty opening the mouth

Causes — why it happens

  • · of the small blood within the walls of larger

How it's found

  • ·Based on symptoms and blood tests, confirmed by of the temporal

Treatment

  • ·, bisphosphonates, proton-pump inhibitor

Complications

  • ·Blindness, dissection, aortic , polymyalgia rheumatica

Outlook

  • ·Life expectancy (typically normal)
Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.