GCA: The Facts
GCA is a type of vasculitis, a group of diseases that cause inflammation of blood vessels. The vessels that GCA visibly affects most often are usually arteries over the temples. This is why another term for GCA is “temporal arteritis.” However, GCA is a systemic disease. This means it can affect your whole body in different ways.
GCA can affect anyone, but it usually affects adults over age 50. It’s more common in women than men, and more common in people of Northern European descent. If left untreated, GCA could cause serious complications. These complications may include stroke or blindness. In rare cases, GCA can be life threatening. So it’s important for those diagnosed with GCA to start on treatment as soon as possible.
In order for GCA to be properly managed, people with the disease require ongoing care.
A swollen temporal artery is a common symptom of GCA. It’s possible to have GCA without showing this symptom. GCA can affect your whole body in different ways.
What happens when you have GCA?
When GCA flares up, the lining of your arteries becomes swollen. When your arteries become swollen, this is also known as vasculitis.
This swelling narrows your blood vessels. Narrow blood vessels reduce the amount of blood that reaches your body’s tissues. Damage can occur when your body’s tissues don’t receive enough blood.
What causes GCA?
The exact cause of GCA is unknown. However, there are some factors that may raise the risk of developing the disease. Some of these include sex, race, or age. Having a condition called polymyalgia rheumatica may also increase the risk of developing GCA.
Resources for Those Affected by GCA
GCA can affect you in ways that can be challenging. Visit our Living With GCA section for tips and resources that could help you manage your disease.
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A biologic is a type of medicine developed using processes that are similar to what happens in your body naturally. Biologics can be used to interact with certain parts of your body, like your immune system. They can also fight inflammation in certain diseases, like GCA.
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An inflammation of the blood vessels. The cause is often unknown.
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When a part of the body becomes swollen and painful.
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A flare is a sudden worsening of your disease. It can happen after you haven’t experienced symptoms for a long time. It’s also known as a relapse.
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A chemical messenger that tells the immune system to attack harmful bacteria and viruses. When your body produces too much IL-6, it causes the immune system to attack healthy cells.
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A decrease or disappearance in signs and symptoms.
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Under the skin.
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A sample of cells taken from the body in order to examine them more closely. A healthcare professional will recommend a biopsy when a test suggests an area of tissue in the body isn’t normal.
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A genetic predisposition means that a person may be more likely to develop a disease based on their genes. However, they may not see any symptoms unless something in the environment triggers the disease.
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Steroids, including cortisone and prednisone, are a type of medicine used temporarily to reduce inflammation.
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Biologics, a type of DMARD, are a class of arthritis treatments designed to target your immune system.
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The immune system is a complex network of organs and cells that protects the body from foreign substances such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses.