Complications, Risk Factors, And Causes Of Temporal Arteritis

The temporal arteries are blood vessels found around the temples and help supply blood to the brain. Temporal arteritis, a form of vasculitis, occurs when those vessels are contracted and inflamed. The ciliary arteries and the other larger vessels, which can lead to serious health complications. When left untreated, the condition can be very dangerous and potentially deadly. Temporal arteritis is a relatively rare disorder, and it is most common among those older than fifty. Commonly, temporal arteritis involves fatigue, fever, jaw pain, muscle aches, and loss of appetite among other symptoms. Overall, the causes and risk factors of temporal arteritis are not well understood, but researchers have pointed out some potential causes, risk factors, and common complications.

Immune System Attacks

The exact cause of temporal arteritis is not known, but there is some evidence the immune system is involved. A part of why the cause is unknown is that temporal arteritis is incredibly rare. Typically, the immune system keeps an individual healthy by keeping track of foreign particles and removing them. In temporal arteritis, the immune system is a bit overreactive. The cells of the immune system view the arteries as pathogens that do not belong to the individual, so it attacks them. This causes the inflammation response, as well as fever and pain. Why the immune system does this is not yet fully known, but it could be due to two potential things. One could be a fault in the immune system itself, causing it to develop attack cells that view the blood vessels as foreign. The other is the blood vessels themselves begin to develop cell surface proteins that elicit an immune response.

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Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Polymyalgia rheumatica, though not a life-threatening condition, can have a severe impact on an individual's quality of life. It is a disorder that causes inflammation of the joints and connective tissue. It mainly includes stiffness and achiness of the neck, hips, and shoulders. As with temporal arteritis, the cause is not known, but the immune system is a likely candidate. Oddly, this disorder frequently co-occurs with temporal arteritis. Both disorders are much more frequent among older adults, and both cause uncomfortable inflammation. Polymyalgia rheumatica is often treated with low doses of steroids or high doses in patients with temporal arteritis as well. Scientists are still trying to understand why these two disorders occur together. Regardless, if an individual is experiencing symptoms of either disorder, a physician should be consulted.

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