Various diseases and medical problems afflict the people residing in different parts of the world. Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis are 2 of the problems associated with the disease of arthritis. Polymyalgia Rheumatica is a disease that affects body parts like the neck, shoulder and hip area. Giant Cell Arteritis is a disorder that leads to the swelling and inflammation of the arteries. The arthritis patients need to guard themselves against both Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis diseases.
Relation between the 2 diseases
It is not fully understood how the diseases of polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis are related. But it has been proved beyond doubt that the 2 diseases are linked to each other in one way or another. Statistics reveal that about 15% of the patients suffering from polymyalgia rheumatica in the United States of America also have complaints of giant cell arteritis. 50% of the patients afflicted by giant cell arteritis also suffer from polymyalgia rheumatica.
Who could get affected?
Studies have shown that white women who have completed 50 years of age, stand at a greater risk of succumbing to the diseases of Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis. Women, in general, are more prone to being afflicted by the 2 diseases than the men. Both the diseases afflict the adults, particularly those who are above 50 years of age.
Symptoms
The major symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica include stiffness and muscle pain in body parts like neck, shoulders and hips. The minor and less frequent symptoms of the disease are fever, weakness and loss of weight. The symptoms of giant cell arteritis are headaches, problems in vision, and pain in body parts like jaw, tongue and temple.
Diagnosis
Though there is no unique medical test that could help the doctors identify the disease of polymyalgia rheumatica, laboratory tests could be used to rule out the occurrence of other diseases.
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The disease of polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis is dignosed by the process of elimination where other diseases are ruled out.
Treatment
The treatment of the disease could cure you of both the diseases, Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis. But it could take anything between 1 year to a few years times for complete recovery. The symptoms of the diseases, however, could disappear within a few days from the beginning of the treatment. Corticosteroids, particularly prednisone, are used as medication for the diseases.
arthritisxl.com provides an overview about Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis and other types of arthritis.
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