Giant Cell Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Arteritis is a condition in which the arteries swell. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen through the body from the heart.

Giant cell arteritis, or GCA, can occur in the arteries of the arms, upper body and neck. However, it usually affects the arteries that are above and in front of the ears on both sides of the head. This type of GCA is also sometimes called the temporal arteritis. Headache is the most common symptom. However, some patients might experience pain while chewing, blurred or reduced vision, or even blindness in one or both eyes.

Often, a biopsy of the temporal artery is needed to confirm the diagnosis. For this biopsy, a small piece of the temporal artery is removed and looked at under a microscope.

Polymyalgia rheumatica (say: pol-lee-my-al-jah roo-matt-tick-ah), or PMR, is a condition in which the muscles inyour neck, shoulders, hips and thighs become swollen. This causes stiffness and aching in the neck, shoulders, hips and thighs.

A physical exam and blood tests are needed to find out if you have this condition.

About 15% of people with PMR have GCA, and about half of people with GCA have PMR. They can have these diseases at the same time, or CGA can develop after PMR.

No one knows what causes GCA or PMR. Immune system problems and aging are possible factors. A physical exam and blood tests are needed to find out if you have this condition.

You are more likely to develop GCA and PMR is you are older than 50 years of age. They are most common in women between 70 and 80 years of age.

Your doctor may prescribe a steroid often used to treat inflammation called prednisone. Once you start taking prednisone, you should feel better quickly. You may need to take this medicine for up to 2 years. Taking prednisone for along time can raise your blood pressure and your blood sugar level, or weaken your bones. Your doctor will need to keep checking you for the these side effects during your treatment.