Senior Citizen Disease that Inflames Arteries in
Head Found to Increase Risk of Blindness
Giant cells that destroy bacteria often found in
temporal arterities that usually hits at age 70, can lead to Polymyalgia
rheumatica
June
17, 2008 A disease that usually strikes people at about age 70
temporal arteritis has been found to increase by three the chance
these senior citizens will go blind. And, those with Giant cells are
three times more likely to develop Polymyalgia rheumatica.
Temporal arteritis, a type of connective tissue
disease characterized by inflammation of arteries in the head, can cause
headaches, jaw soreness and flu-like symptoms. In this disease, arteries
swell and restrict blood flow to the brain. Untreated, the disease can
lead to stroke and blindness.
(More about these
disease below news report.)
In a study published in a recent edition of the
Journal of Clinical Pathology, Geisinger Health System researchers
examined the disorder.
Giant cells, which are white blood cells that
destroy bacteria, are often found in patients with the disease. The
Geisinger study found that patients with giant cells are far more prone
to blindness compared to patients without these cells.
The study also found that patients with giant cells
are three times more likely to experience Polymyalgia rheumatica, an
inflammatory disorder that causes muscle aches and stiffness primarily
in the arms, thighs and neck.
"We need to learn more about how these giant cells
work so we can limit the effects of this disease, which can cause
significant problems if ignored," said Geisinger rheumatologist and lead
study author Thomas Harrington, MD.
More About Giant
Cell Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica
What is giant cell arteritis? temporal arteritis?
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.
What is polymyalgia rheumatica?
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.
How are GCA and PMR related?
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.
What causes these conditions?
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.
Who gets these conditions?
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.
>> Read more and updates at
FamilyDoctor.org, published by American Academy of Family Physicians
Founded in 1915, Geisinger Health System (Danville,
PA) is one of the nation's largest integrated health services
organizations. Serving more than two million residents throughout
central and northeastern Pennsylvania, the physician-led organization is
at the forefront of the country's rapidly emerging electronic health
records movement. Geisinger is comprised of two medical center campuses,
three hospitals, a 720-member group practice, a not-for-profit health
insurance company and the Geisinger Center for Health Researchdedicated
to creating innovative new models for patient care, satisfaction and
clinical outcomes. For more information, visit
www.geisinger.org
Keep up with the latest news for senior citizens, baby
bommers
June
17, 2008 A disease that usually strikes people at about age 70
temporal arteritis has been found to increase by three the chance
these senior citizens will go blind. And, those with Giant cells are
three times more likely to develop Polymyalgia rheumatica.