|
Temporal Arteritis is one form of vasculitis, or inflammation of blood vessels. It is a chronic inflammation of large arteries, primarily in the head, and typically affects people over 50. The condition is called Temporal Arteritis because it often affects the temporal arteries at the temples. However, this disorder can be systemic, that is, it can affect other medium to large-sized arteries, especially other branches of the carotid artery that carries blood to the brain. As with other inflammatory diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, the cause is unknown. Temporal arteritis and a condition known as polymyalgia rheumatica have many of the same symptoms and probably represent a spectrum of one disease. Classic symptoms include severe headaches, scalp tenderness, visual problems, throat pain, and difficulty chewing and talking, all depending on which arteries in the head are affected. Temporal arteritis also mimics infection by causing high fever, but the white blood cell count is usually normal. Most of the pain is thought to be from swelling in and around the affected artery. This swelling puts pressure on the nerves that run through the area. This is, in a way, similar to other forms of headache that involve blood vessels and nerves. Diagnosis is based on symptoms and examination, including blood tests for anemia and erythrocyte (red cell) sedimentation rate, and may be confirmed by an examination of a biopsy of a piece of temporal artery tissue. Although the biopsy is a very useful tool in confirming the diagnosis of temporal arteritis, about 20 percent of the time the biopsy results will be falsely negative. If all of the other evidence fits and no other disease seems likely, staying with this diagnosis seems prudent. The major problem with temporal arteritis is that it can quickly cause blindness, which is usually permanent. The blindness is a result of the arteritis occluding the branch of the ophthalmic artery that supplies the optic nerve, the main nerve of the eye. That�s why when symptoms or lab test results suggest temporal arteritis, prednisone should be started immediately and a temporal artery biopsy promptly obtained for confirmation. The blood sedimentation rate, usually very high in this disease, is often used to track the effect of drug treatment. Blindness is rare once the sedimentation rate has returned to normal. However, temporal arteritis may come back and remain active for years, requiring the long-term continuation of lower doses of prednisone. Another complication of temporal arteritis is the possibility of development and rupture of an aneurysm (a bubble forming in a weakened area of a blood vessel wall) in the part of the aorta (the main artery coming from the heart) located in the chest. Anyone diagnosed with temporal arteritis should stay in close contact with his or her doctor regarding symptoms caused by the disease as well as by treatment.
Know your rights. The Federal Air Carrier Access Act and the regulations developed by the Department of Transportation to implement it are designed to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access when traveling by plane:
Call the airline before your trip to confirm any assistance that you have requested. For more information, request the free booklet New Horizons: Information for the Air Traveler with a Disability by writing to the Consumer Information Center, P.O. Box 100, Pueblo, CO 81002. In addition, Amtrak offers a publication about accessible services, discounts, and tips for people with disabilities traveling by train. Contact them by calling (877) 268-7252.
October is White Cane Awareness Month Yield to white cane and guide dog users at street crossings. It�s the Law! For more information, contact the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind at (800) 392-6450. |
