subject: Detecting and Diagnosing Temporal Arteritis [print this page] Detecting and Diagnosing Temporal Arteritis
People who get affected by this condition are those who are over 50 years old. Women are more at risk to it than men. The condition makes the blood vessels in the scalp and temple become tender as well as swollen. If ignored and untreated, it can result to stroke or blindness. Diagnosis can be established after a biopsy of the temporal artery. Treatment is usually high doses of cortisone-related drugs or medications.
Among all other complications, vision loss is the major concern when it comes to temporal arteritis. Though arteries in other parts of the body can get affected as the disease progresses, it is vision loss that is the most threatening. This occurs when the inflamed arteries start obstructing blood flow to the optic nerve and the eyes. When there is oxygen deprivation to the optic nerve and retina, permanent vision loss occurs. With the right treatment, this permanent loss of vision can be prevented.
Temporal Arteritis Symptoms
Patients suffering from this condition will notice visual symptoms in one eye then on the other eye. Other symptoms are:
? Scalp tenderness (even combing the hair can be painful)
? Headache
? Pain in the temple area (that can be excruciating)
? Loss of appetite
? Transient blurred vision
? Fatigue
? Fever
? Drooping lid
? Depression
? Sore neck
? Double vision
? Jaw soreness (even when chewing food)
Temporal Arteritis Detection & Diagnosis
When the doctor suspects that you have temporal arteritis, the doctor will suggest blood tests like:
? C-reactive protein test - this protein is produced in the liver and released when the body responds to either an injury or an event which signals inflammation.
? ESR or erythrocyte sedimentation rate - measures the time it takes for erythrocytes to collect in the bottom part of the test tube. These are measured in millimeters. If the ESR is abnormally high, it indicates active inflammation.
? Biopsy of the temporal artery - This is also recommended and performed with local anesthesia. When a piece of the temporal artery is removed, it is examined and magnified for inflammatory cells.
Temporal Arteritis Treatment
When it comes to treating temporal arteritis, an ophthalmologist often works with the internist of a patient. Oral steroid medication is usually the primary treatment for the disease. It aims to reduce the inflammation. Though there are patients who notice an improvement in their symptoms after several days, there are also patients who need a long-term maintenance dosage of such steroids for temporal arteritis relief.
