The inflammation damages the arteries, thickening their walls and reducing the volume of blood they can carry. Cause Temporal arteritis appears to be an autoimmune disease, one of a mysterious group of diseases whose exact causes are unknown. Incidence Temporal arteritis occurs in about 1 in every 4,000 people. Most of those affected are over 50.
Women are twice as likely to have the disease.
Symptoms you are likely to notice The characteristic pain is a throbbing ache rather like migraine . It can be located in one or both temples. Under the skin the inflamed artery may be visibly red and swollen, and it may be tender to the touch. Other possible symptoms may include a low fever , loss of appetite and weight, and general weakness. Symptoms your physician may observe Definitive diagnosis of temporal arteritis may require a surgical biopsy of the artery to obtain a sample for microscopic examination.