Living with Temporal arteritis
Inflammation of arteries, mostly in the head, causing headache, scalp tenderness, and sometimes vision problems.
Understanding Temporal arteritis
It most commonly affects the temporal arteries on each side of the head. The inflammation narrows the arteries and reduces blood flow. It can occur with or after another condition called polymyalgia rheumatica. It usually begins in adulthood.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms depend on which arteries are affected. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Throbbing headache on one side or the back of the head
- Scalp tenderness
- Jaw pain while chewing
- Vision problems
- Fever and flu-like feelings
- Tiredness and joint stiffness
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include autoimmune and inflammatory disease specialists and kidney specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Autoimmune Association, Global Autoimmune Institute and Vasculitis Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- autoimmune and inflammatory disease specialists (rheumatologists); Kidney specialists (nephrologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Autoimmune Association, Global Autoimmune Institute, Vasculitis Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Autoimmune Association and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says the cause is still being studied. It is thought to involve the immune system mistakenly attacking artery walls, and genetic and environmental factors may raise risk.
Also known as: arteritis cranialis; arteritis temporalis; cranial arteritis; giant cell arteritis; horton disease; horton-gilmour disease
Patient organizations
- Autoimmune AssociationTemporal arteritis · United States
- Global Autoimmune InstituteTemporal arteritis · United States
- Vasculitis FoundationTemporal arteritis · United States
- The Lauren Currie Twilight FoundationTemporal arteritis · National Kidney Foundation
- Renal Support NetworkKidney diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Temporal arteritis.
Explore research for Temporal arteritis
Explore actively recruiting Temporal arteritis studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Temporal arteritis with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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