A headache itself is not always aprimary disorder, but rather a symptom of another underlying disease process.
Overview
Giant cell arteritis, or GCA, is avasculitisthat affects large- and medium-sized blood vessels.
The term “vasculitis” means that the blood vessels become inflamed.
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GCA mostly affects the branches of the external carotid artery, a large artery in the neck.
Diagnosis
Obtaining a thorough medical history is critical to diagnosing GCA.
This is why your healthcare provider will ask specific questions before proceeding with further tests or treatment.
Your healthcare provider will also likely refer you for a temporal artery biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment of this disorder entails a long course of high dose glucocorticoids, like prednisone.
That said, the scientific evidence on these therapies is still limited.
As always, listen to your instincts and be proactive in your health care.
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