In the elderly, the work of the cardiovascular system of the body, especially in women, is often disrupted. One of the most common diseases of such a plan is the temporal giant cell arteritis (GTA). It is characterized by inflammation of the walls of the carotid and temporal artery, which is important to immediately stop, as the pathology rapidly progresses and can cause severe complications, including sudden blindness.
Signs of giant cell temporal arteritis
Another name for the described ailment is Horton's disease. Its symptoms are classified by specialists into three groups:
1. General:
- fever and fever;
- intense headaches;
- weight loss;
- lack of appetite until anorexia;
- sleep disorders;
- severe fatigue;
- myalgia and arthralgia ;
- pain when chewing;
- numbness of some parts of the face;
- soreness with palpation of the scalp;
- rheumatic polymyalgia.
2. Vascular:
- densification of the temporal and parietal arteries;
- redness and swelling of the skin on the temples;
- nodules in the scalp;
- soreness in palpation of arteries, absence of pulsation;
- sometimes - transient ischemic attacks, strokes.
3. Spotting:
- deterioration of visual acuity;
- pain in the eyeball;
- sudden blindness.
Therapy of giant cell arteritis with rheumatic polymyalgia
The considered form of Horton's disease is accompanied by acute pain in the muscles of the shoulder girdle and pelvis. Her treatment is no different from an integrated approach for any other types of GTA.
According to published medical research, giant cell arteritis is subject to hormone therapy. Admission Prednisolone at a starting dose of 40 mg per day allows for 24-48 hours to significantly improve the patient's condition and to stop inflammation in the walls of the arteries. In severe cases, additionally prescribed Methylprednisolone.
When the severity of signs of Horton's disease is significantly reduced, the dosage of corticosteroid hormones decreases to 10 mg per day. Supportive treatment lasts at least six months, until all the symptoms of giant cell arteritis completely disappear. Severe forms of this disease suggest a longer course of therapy, about 2 years.
Even after the confirmation of recovery, it is necessary to continue monitoring with a specialist, regularly visit planned examinations, as the disease can recur.