Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Giant Cell Arteritis, A Simple Guide To The Condition, Treatment And Related Diseases
    Giant Cell Arteritis, A Simple Guide To The Condition, Treatment And Related Diseases
    Giant Cell Arteritis, A Simple Guide To The Condition, Treatment And Related Diseases
    Ebook156 pages1 hour

    Giant Cell Arteritis, A Simple Guide To The Condition, Treatment And Related Diseases

    By Kenneth Kee

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Giant Cell Arteritis is an inflammatory syndrome of cranial arteries
    It causes reddening and tenderness around the temporal arteries of the body.
    It may be part of the polymyalgia rheumatica syndrome
    It can also affect the nerves and give rise to the skin symptom

    Symptoms often include fever, a general feeling of malaise
    The most common symptom is the one sided or bilateral headache
    Giant Cell Arteritis can cause visual impairment and blindness.
    Physical examination show presence of jaw claudication and tenderness

    GCA is diagnosed with a raised ESR and CRP and evidence of vasculitis
    Polymyalgia rheumatica is also associated with Giant cell arteritis
    Diagnosis of GCA is the presence of abnormal giant cells in temporal artery biopsy
    Treatment is usually with corticosteroids or immunosuppressant therapy

    -An original poem by Kenneth Kee

    Interesting Tips about the Giant Cell Arteritis

    A Healthy Lifestyle

    1. Take a well Balanced Diet

    2. Prompt medical action is important as untreated temporal arteritis can progress to the ophthalmic artery which supplies blood to the retina of the eye.

    a. High dose corticosteroids prednisolone by mouth daily.

    b. Dosage of corticosteroids can be reduced 2-3 weeks after symptoms disappear

    c. Maintenance dose of corticosteroids should be continues for six to eight months

    Headache is a fairly common complaint in any family doctor clinic.

    It is important to treat for nausea, vomiting, stiffness of the neck, fits, stress, lack of sleep, flashes of light in the eyes, and weakness of one side of the body.

    The doctor should always treat for any high fever (one of the common causes) and high blood pressure.

    Prognosis is good with prompt onset of corticosteroids treatment before loss of vision

    Loss of vision is irreversible once it occurred

    3. Keep bones and body strong

    Bone marrow produces our blood

    Eat foods rich in calcium like yogurt, cheese, milk, and dark green vegetables.

    Eat foods rich in Vitamin D, like eggs, fatty fish, cereal, and fortified milk.

    Eat food rich in Vitamins B and C such as green vegetables and fruits

    Zinc and other minerals are important to the body

    4. Get enough rest and Sleep

    Avoid stress and tension

    5. Exercise and stay active.

    It is best to do weight-bearing exercise such as walking, jogging, stair climbing, dancing, or lifting weights for 21⁄2 hours a week.

    One way to do this is to be active 30 minutes a day at least 5 days a week.

    Begin slowly especially if a person has not been active.

    6. Do not drink more than 2 alcohol drinks a day for a man or 1 alcohol drink a day for a woman.

    Alcohol use also increases the chance of falling and breaking a bone.

    Alcohol can affect the neurons and brain cells.

    7. Stop or do not begin smoking.

    It also interferes with blood supply and healing.

    Chapter 1

    Giant Cell Arteritis

    What is Giant Cell Arteritis?

    Giant Cell Arteritis or Temporal Arteritis is an inflammatory syndrome of cranial arteries especially the temporal artery.

    It causes reddening and tenderness around the blood vessels or a dull ache on the temporal sides of the head.

    It may be associated with blindness and may be part of the polymyalgia rheumatica syndrome.

    It usually affects middle aged or older people.

    It is rare under the age of 50 years.

    Women are more affected than men.

    There is inflammation of all layers of medium sized arteries within the carotid distribution occasionally elsewhere.

    TABLE OF CONTENT
    Introduction

    Chapter 1 Giant Cell Arteritis

    Chapter 2 More Facts about Giant Cell Arteritis

    Chapter 3 Treatment of Giant Cell Arteritis

    Chapter 4 Vasculitis

    Chapter 5 Polymyalgia Rheumatica

    Chapter 6 Kawasaki Disease

    Chapter 7 Migraine

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherKenneth Kee
    Release dateDec 18, 2014
    ISBN9781310956560
    Giant Cell Arteritis, A Simple Guide To The Condition, Treatment And Related Diseases
    Author

    Kenneth Kee

    Medical doctor since 1972.Started Kee Clinic in 1974 at 15 Holland Dr #03-102, relocated to 36 Holland Dr #01-10 in 2009.Did my M.Sc (Health Management ) in 1991 and Ph.D (Healthcare Administration) in 1993.Dr Kenneth Kee is still working as a family doctor at the age of 74However he has reduced his consultation hours to 3 hours in the morning and 2 hours inthe afternoon.He first started writing free blogs on medical disorders seen in the clinic in 2007 on http://kennethkee.blogspot.com.His purpose in writing these simple guides was for the health education of his patients which is also his dissertation for his Ph.D (Healthcare Administration). He then wrote an autobiography account of his journey as a medical student to family doctor on his other blog http://afamilydoctorstale.blogspot.comThis autobiography account “A Family Doctor’s Tale” was combined with his early “A Simple Guide to Medical Disorders” into a new Wordpress Blog “A Family Doctor’s Tale” on http://ken-med.com.From which many free articles from the blog was taken and put together into 1000 eBooks.He apologized for typos and spelling mistakes in his earlier books.He will endeavor to improve the writing in futures.Some people have complained that the simple guides are too simple.For their information they are made simple in order to educate the patients.The later books go into more details of medical disorders.He has published 1000 eBooks on various subjects on health, 1 autobiography of his medical journey, another on the autobiography of a Cancer survivor, 2 children stories and one how to study for his nephew and grand-daughter.The purpose of these simple guides is to educate patient on health disorders and not meant as textbooks.He does not do any night duty since 2000 ever since Dr Tan had his second stroke.His clinic is now relocated to the Buona Vista Community Centre.The 2 units of his original clinic are being demolished to make way for a new Shopping Mall.He is now doing some blogging and internet surfing (bulletin boards since the 1980's) startingwith the Apple computer and going to PC.The entire PC is upgraded by himself from XT to the present Pentium duo core.The present Intel i7 CPU is out of reach at the moment because the CPU is still expensive.He is also into DIY changing his own toilet cistern and other electric appliance.His hunger for knowledge has not abated and he is a lifelong learner.The children have all grown up and there are 2 grandchildren who are even more technically advanced than the grandfather where mobile phones are concerned.This book is taken from some of the many articles in his blog (now with 740 posts) A Family Doctor’s Tale.Dr Kee is the author of:"A Family Doctor's Tale""Life Lessons Learned From The Study And Practice Of Medicine""Case Notes From A Family Doctor"

    Read more from Kenneth Kee

    Related to Giant Cell Arteritis, A Simple Guide To The Condition, Treatment And Related Diseases

    Related ebooks

    Medical For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Dr Gill

      Oct 12, 2022

      When comparing the incidence of dementia in 250,000 Danish people diagnosed with shingles to age-matched general population controls, researchers had expected to see an increase in dementia rates – perhaps from neuroinflammation, cerebral vasculopath

      3 min read

    • Article

      Coping with CARDIOMYOPATHY

      Aug 31, 2022

      In cardiomyopathy, heart muscles become stretched, thickened or stiff, affecting the heart’s ability to pump blood around the body. The abnormality isn’t directly caused by blocked coronary arteries, high blood pressure, valvular disease or congenita

      3 min read

    • Article

      Coping with LEUKAEMIA

      Feb 1, 2023

      Coping with LEUKAEMIA
      3 min read

    • Article

      Ask The Expert

      Mar 21, 2024

      Q Why does my hand tingle in the night? A Tingling, or pins and needles, prickling or numbness on the skin happens when the blood supply to the nerves is temporarily cut off. This is usually when you sit or sleep in a way that puts pressure on that

      3 min read

    • Article

      When The Drugs DO WORK…

      Oct 3, 2019

      When The Drugs DO WORK…
      3 min read

    • Article

      Coping with… MUSCLE TWITCHING

      Aug 23, 2023

      ADVICE FROM OUR WOMAN’S WEEKLY DOCTOR Occasional twitches are common, affecting most people from time to time, and are very rarely a sign of anything serious. Often, they go away on their own, but see a GP if a twitch lasts for more than two weeks.

      3 min read

    • Article

      ASK Dr Martin

      Dec 27, 2019

      ASK Dr Martin
      2 min read

    • Article

      Ask The Expert

      Aug 3, 2023

      A An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a bulge in the aorta, the main blood vessel from the heart down to the abdomen. It can gradually enlarge, risking rupture and life-threatening bleeding. In England, ultrasound AAA screening is offered to men tu

      3 min read

    • Article

      A Well-Oiled Machine

      Feb 15, 2022

      A Well-Oiled Machine
      7 min read

    • Article

      Coping with... TESTICULAR LUMPS AND SWELLINGS

      Oct 11, 2023

      ADVICE FROM OUR WOMAN’S WEEKLY DOCTOR Lumps, cysts and swellings can occur in the testicles and surrounding tissue, which includes blood vessels, the spermatic cord, the epididymis (a long coiled tube on the back of each testicle that carries and st

      4 min read

    • Article

      When Your Body FIGHTS ITSELF

      Oct 3, 2019

      When Your Body FIGHTS ITSELF
      4 min read

    • Article

      Coping with... EHLERS- DANLOS SYNDROME

      Dec 23, 2020

      The symptoms shared by different types of EDS include joint hypermobility (increased range of joint movement) and stretchy, fragile skin that bruises or tears easily. Severity varies – some of the rare types can be life-threatening. The cause is a v

      1 min read

    • Article

      Coping with GOUT

      Feb 8, 2023

      Advice from our Woman’s Weekly doctor Uric acid (urate) is made in the body during metabolism, passed out in urine and faeces, and usually harmless. In gout, the blood levels of uric acid build up until tiny, grit-like crystals form, which collect

      4 min read

    • Article

      The Big freeze

      Feb 7, 2019

      The Big freeze
      4 min read

    • Article

      Coping with... PSORIASIS

      May 12, 2021

      Coping with... PSORIASIS
      3 min read

    • Article

      Ask The Expert

      Oct 1, 2020

      Q MY HUSBAND HAS A SCROTAL SWELLING BUT NO LUMP. SHOULD HE STILL SEE HIS GP? A Any new or persistent lump or swelling should be identified by your GP – most aren’t sinister. Recent publicity campaigns have encouraged men to examine themselves regul

      3 min read

    • Article

      It’s All Relative

      Dec 9, 2019

      It’s All Relative
      4 min read

    • Article

      Coping with LEG ULCERS

      Mar 8, 2023

      Leg ulcers usually develop on the inside of the leg, between the knee and the ankle. Venous leg ulcers are the most common, causing 60% of cases, affecting one in 500 people in the UK, more commonly with age. They can develop after a minor injury, wi

      3 min read

    • Article

      Coping with… SWOLLEN ANKLES

      Nov 22, 2023

      ADVICE FROM OUR WOMAN’S WEEKLY DOCTOR There are many causes of swollen ankles, from simply being in a hot environment or being overweight to more serious conditions such as deep-vein thrombosis, heart failure, kidney or liver failure, thyroid diseas

      3 min read

    • Article

      Coping with BONE CANCER

      Apr 20, 2022

      Coping with BONE CANCER
      2 min read

    • Article

      6 Little-Known Diabetes Symptoms

      Apr 12, 2019

      6 Little-Known Diabetes Symptoms
      3 min read

    • Article

      Happy mind, HEALTHY HEART

      Feb 20, 2018

      Happy mind, HEALTHY HEART
      1 min read

    • Article

      Dr Gill

      Jun 15, 2022

      Dr Gill
      3 min read

    • Article

      Give Your Brain A BOOST

      Jan 27, 2022

      Give Your Brain A BOOST
      3 min read

    • Article

      DIABETES and HEART DISEASE

      Jun 15, 2022

      DIABETES and HEART DISEASE
      5 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Giant Cell Arteritis, A Simple Guide To The Condition, Treatment And Related Diseases

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Giant Cell Arteritis, A Simple Guide To The Condition, Treatment And Related Diseases - Kenneth Kee

      Giant Cell

      Arteritis

      A

      Simple

      Guide

      To

      The Condition,

      Treatment

      And

      Related Diseases

      By

      Dr Kenneth Kee

      M.B.,B.S. (Singapore)

      Ph.D (Healthcare Administration)

      Copyright Kenneth Kee 2014 Smashwords Edition

      Published By Kenneth Kee at Smashwords.com

      Dedication

      This book is dedicated

      To my wife Dorothy

      And my children

      Carolyn, Grace

      And Kelvin

      This book describes the Giant Cell Arteritis, Treatment and Associated Diseases or in vernacular terms

      (What You Need to Treat Giant Cell Arteritis)

      This eBook is licensed for the personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader.

      If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy.

      Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      Introduction

      Ode To Giant Cell Arteritis

      Giant Cell Arteritis is an inflammatory syndrome of cranial arteries

      It causes reddening and tenderness around the temporal arteries of the body.

      It may be part of the polymyalgia rheumatica syndrome

      It can also affect the nerves and give rise to the skin symptom

      Symptoms often include fever, a general feeling of malaise

      The most common symptom is the one sided or bilateral headache

      Giant Cell Arteritis can cause visual impairment and blindness.

      Physical examination show presence of jaw claudication and tenderness

      GCA is diagnosed with a raised ESR and CRP and evidence of vasculitis

      Polymyalgia rheumatica is also associated with Giant cell arteritis

      Diagnosis of GCA is the presence of abnormal giant cells in temporal artery biopsy

      Treatment is usually with corticosteroids or immunosuppressant therapy

      -An original poem by Kenneth Kee

      Interesting Tips about the Giant Cell Arteritis

      A Healthy Lifestyle

      1. Take a well Balanced Diet

      2. Prompt medical action is important as untreated temporal arteritis can progress to the ophthalmic artery which supplies blood to the retina of the eye.

      a. High dose corticosteroids prednisolone by mouth daily.

      b. Dosage of corticosteroids can be reduced 2-3 weeks after symptoms disappear

      c. Maintenance dose of corticosteroids should be continues for six to eight months

      Headache is a fairly common complaint in any family doctor clinic.

      It is important to treat for nausea, vomiting, stiffness of the neck, fits, stress, lack of sleep, flashes of light in the eyes, and weakness of one side of the body.

      The doctor should always treat for any high fever (one of the common causes) and high blood pressure.

      Prognosis is good with prompt onset of corticosteroids treatment before loss of vision

      Loss of vision is irreversible once it occurred

      3. Keep bones and body strong

      Bone marrow produces our blood

      Eat foods rich in calcium like yogurt, cheese, milk, and dark green vegetables.

      Eat foods rich in Vitamin D, like eggs, fatty fish, cereal, and fortified milk.

      Eat food rich in Vitamins B and C such as green vegetables and fruits

      Zinc and other minerals are important to the body

      4. Get enough rest and Sleep

      Avoid stress and tension

      5. Exercise and stay active.

      It is best to do weight-bearing exercise such as walking, jogging, stair climbing, dancing, or lifting weights for 2½ hours a week.

      One way to do this is to be active 30 minutes a day at least 5 days a week.

      Begin slowly especially if a person has not been active.

      6. Do not drink more than 2 alcohol drinks a day for a man or 1 alcohol drink a day for a woman.

      Alcohol use also increases the chance of falling and breaking a bone.

      Alcohol can affect the neurons and brain cells.

      7. Stop or do not begin smoking.

      It also interferes with blood supply and healing.

      Cigarettes contain more than forty types of hazardous and possibly cancer causing chemicals which can harm the smokers and those around them.

      Chapter 1

      Giant Cell Arteritis

      What is Giant Cell Arteritis?

      Giant Cell Arteritis or Temporal Arteritis is an inflammatory syndrome of cranial arteries especially the temporal artery.

      It causes reddening and tenderness around the blood vessels or a dull ache on the temporal sides of the head.

      It may be associated with blindness and may be part of the polymyalgia rheumatica syndrome.

      It usually affects middle aged or older people.

      It is rare under the age of 50 years.

      Women are more affected than men.

      What are the causes of Giant Cell Arteritis?

      The cause is unknown.

      There is inflammation of all layers of medium sized arteries within the carotid distribution occasionally elsewhere.

      What Are the Symptoms of Giant Cell Arteritis?

      Early symptoms of giant cell arteritis may resemble flu symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, and fever.

      Symptoms specifically related to the inflamed arteries of the head include headaches, pain and tenderness over the temples, double vision or visual loss, dizziness or problems with coordination, and balance.

      Pain may also affect the jaw and tongue, especially when eating, and opening the mouth wide may become difficult.

      In rare cases, giant cell arteritis causes ulceration of the scalp.

      1. Pain and tenderness of the scalp arteries with palpable thickening

      2. Headache and systemic upset such as weight loss

      3. Visual disturbance with loss of visual fields and blindness in severe cases

      4. Associated depression

      5. Claudication of jaw muscles while talking or eating

      6. There may be pain in the jaws while chewing

      How is Giant Cell Arteritis diagnosed?

      1. Classical symptoms of headache

      2. High ESR rate

      3. Biopsy of temporal artery is diagnostic with multinucleated giant cells seen with fibrous proliferation of intima and fragmentation of elastic tissue

      What is the complication of Giant Cell Arteritis?

      It can cause blindness.

      What is the treatment of Giant Cell Arteritis?

      Prompt medical action is important as untreated temporal arteritis can progress to the ophthalmic artery which supplies blood to the retina of the eye.

      1. High dose corticosteroids prednisolone by mouth daily.

      2. Dosage of corticosteroids can be reduced 2-3 weeks after symptoms disappear

      3. Maintenance dose of corticosteroids should be continues for six to eight months

      Headache is a fairly common complaint in any family doctor clinic.

      It is important to ask for nausea, vomiting, stiffness of the neck, fits, stress, lack of sleep, flashes of light in the eyes, and weakness of one side of the body.

      The doctor should always check for any high fever (one of the common causes) and high blood pressure.

      What is the prognosis of Giant Cell Arteritis?

      Prognosis is good with prompt onset of corticosteroids treatment before loss of vision

      Loss of vision is irreversible once it occurred

      Chapter 2

      More about Giant Cell Arteritis

      Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a condition which causes swelling (inflammation) on the inside of some blood vessels (arteries).

      It is called 'giant cell' because abnormal large cells develop in the wall of the inflamed arteries.

      The arteries commonly affected are those around the head and neck area.

      One of the arteries that is

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1