Facts About Temporal Arteritis Syndrome

Temporal arteritis is a condition characterized by damage and inflammation to the blood vessels lining the arteries of the temple. It is a form of giant cell arteritis, a condition in which the inflammation affects the blood vessels found in the larger arteries in the neck and upper body. These blood vessels are responsible for transporting oxygen from the heart and through the entire body. It can be a serious condition and depending on the severity of the symptoms can be very painful, but is easily treatable.

Cause

• There is no specific cause of temporal arteritis, though the most widely accepted cause is a problem with the way the immune system works. Several other factors may increase the risk of developing the condition, such as your age, race and sex. It is more common in women of Scandinavian origin but rare in individuals under the age of 50. The condition is also common in those with polymyalgia rheumatica, and develops in roughly 50 percent of those with the inflammatory condition.

Tests

• Diagnosis of temporal arteritis begins with your doctor examining your head and looking for a bulging artery or a weak pulse. If a diagnosis cannot be confirmed in this manner, blood tests may be given to test hemoglobin levels, liver function and sedimentation rate. The only way to absolutely confirm a diagnosis is through a biopsy and examination of the affected artery.

Symptoms

• The symptoms of temporal arteritis include flu-like symptoms such as fever, aching muscles (typically in the morning), fatigue and headache; pain in the jaw, unintentional weight loss and a loss of appetite; vision impairment, excessive sweating, bleeding gums, stiff joints and hearing loss, among others. Some individuals develop nonspecific symptoms such as paralysis of the eye muscles, respiratory issues and pain along nerve areas. This occurs in approximately 40 percent of those afflicted with the disease.

Treatment

• Treatment of temporal arteritis is focused on reducing the risk of tissue damage and alleviating pain. Pain relievers such as aspirin can reduce the pain associated with muscle, joint and head pain, while corticosteroids can help reduce inflammation of the blood vessels. Given the theory that temporal arteritis is caused by an immune system abnormality, immuno-suppressants may be prescribed by your doctor.

Complications

• Temporal arteritis often can result in a number of serious complications. These typically occur if treatment is insufficient, improper or delayed, and can include weakened eye muscles and diminished blood flow to the eyes, causing blindness, aortic aneurysm, blood clots that can lead to a stroke or symptoms resembling a stroke (transient ischemic attack) and coronary artery inflammation that leads to chest pain.