Vasculitis

Giant cell arteritisis a type of vasculitis that often affects the arteries in the head and neck.Itmostly occurs inadults over the age of 50.

It's sometimes called temporal arteritis becausethe arteries around the temples are often affected.

It can cause:

• aching and soreness aroundthe temples
• jaw muscle pain while eating
• headaches
• double vision or vision loss

It also commonly occurs alongside polymyalgia rheumatica (see below). The main treatment is steroid medication .

It mainly affects middle-aged or elderly people.

It can cause:

• a high temperature (fever)
• night sweats
• inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis)
• nosebleeds and crusting of the nose
• shortness of breath and coughing up blood
• kidney problems

It's a serious condition that can be fatal if left untreated, as it can lead to organ failure. It's usually treated with steroid medication or other medicines that reduce the activity of the immune system.

It's thought to be triggered by the body reacting to an infection.

It can cause:

• a rash that looks like small bruises or reddish-purple spots
• joint pain
• tummy (abdominal) pain
• diarrhoea and vomiting
• blood in urine or poo

It's not usually serious and tends to get better without treatment.

It tends to develop in childhood or in middle-aged people.

Itcan sometimes be triggered by an infection, such as hepatitis B , but the exact cause is uncertain.

It can cause:

• muscle and joint pain
• tummy (abdominal) pain , particularly after eating
• a rash
• pins and needles or numbness
• bleeding and ulcersin the gut

Itcan be very serious if not treated. The main treatment is steroid medication ,and sometimes other medicines that reduce the activity of the immune system.

The Vasculitis UK website has more information about polyarteritis nodosa .