Treatment of Temporal Arthritis

According to arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com, the term temporal arthritis actually is called temporal arteritis. The Mayo Clinic says Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) sometimes is referred to as temporal arteritis because it most frequently affects the arteries in the temples of your head. GCA is an inflammation of the lining of your arteries that transmit oxygen-filled blood from your heart to your entire body. Temporal arteritis can result in headaches, vision problems and jaw pain. In severe cases, blindness and even stroke are possible. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) says most people make a full recovery, but long term treatment may be necessary.

• Human Head

Causes

• Your arteries are flexible tubes with solid, bendable walls. In giant cell arteritis, there is inflammation and swelling in the temporal arteries. It's unclear exactly what triggers the inflammation. The temporal arteries begin in front of your ears and travel up into your scalp. The UMMC says some evidence suggests that temporal arteritis may be heredity.

Risks

• There are a number of factors that can increase your risk of temporal arteritis. The condition almost always strikes people over age 50. The average age at diagnosis is 70.

  Women are up to three times as likely as men to develop giant cell arteritis. Individuals with an arthritic condition called polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) have a higher chance of developing temporal arteritis. PMR causes aching and stiffness in the hips, shoulders and neck.

Symptoms

• The most widespread symptoms of giant cell arteritis are often severe head pain and tenderness in both temples.

  Some people experience flu-like symptoms that include fever, fatigue and aching muscles. Also, there may be unexplained weight loss.

  Vision problems may occur as a result of temporal arteritis. There may be double-vision or sudden and irreversible loss of sight in one eye.

Corticosteoids

• The first line of treatment for GCA is high doses of a corticosteroid drug (prednisone). The American College of Rheumatology says the average daily dose is 40-60 mg.

  Corticosteroids are potent anti-inflammatory medicines whose effects imitate those of hormones produced by your adrenal glands

  While the effects of corticosteroids may be felt almost right away, long-term use (one year or more) is generally prescribed.

  There are several unpleasant and potentially serious side effects associated with corticosteroids. They include muscle weakness and a diminished function of your immune system.

Newer Medications

• The Mayo Clinic says researchers are working to find treatments for temporal arteritis that are as effective as corticosteroids but don't have the troublesome side effects. One drug being considered is methotrexate, which is prescribed to treat some cancers and inflammatory conditions.

  Other medications under review are azathioprine (Imuran) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers, including etanercept (Enbrel). Your doctor may also recommend taking a daily low dose of aspirin to help lower the risk of stroke and blindness.