Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Arteritis Treatment

Arteritis can be defined as an inflammation of the arteries which are the blood vessels that transfer oxygenated blood from the heart to the other parts of the body. Oxygenated blood transfer from heart through the main artery of the body, which is aorta. The aorta subdivides into many smaller arteries that transfer blood to all parts of the body which also includes the internal organs and brain. In arteritis some of these arteries become swell.

Even though any large or medium artery can be damaged by this, swelling mostly occurs in the arteries of the head, which are located in front of the ears and extend into the scalp. Mostly it damages the arteries in the head.

Arteritis commonly causes jaw pain, headaches and blurred vision. Stroke and blindness are the most serious difficult situations of arteritis, but they are less often. Urgent treatment with corticosteroid medications mostly relieves symptoms of arteritis and may prevent from loss of vision.

Treatment arteritis includes high doses of a corticosteroid drug like prednisone. Corticosteroids are the strong anti-inflammatory drugs which effect on those hormones produced by the adrenal glands. These drugs can efficiently relieve pain, but high doses can cause a chain of side-effects.

In this condition urgent treatment is required to avoid vision loss, for this reason doctor may start drugs even before confirmatory diagnosis with a biopsy. After the first month of the treatment, the doctor may slowly begin to lower the dosage until the patient reach the lowest dose of corticosteroids required to control inflammation as calculate by CRP and seed rate tests. Adults, who are taking treatment, are specifically at risk of side-effects because they're more sensitive for many conditions that also caused by corticosteroids. These contain:
  • Osteoporosis
  • High blood pressure
  • Muscle weakness
  • Glaucoma
  • Cataracts
Other expected side-effects of corticosteroid include:
  • Weight gain
  • Increased blood sugar levels, sometimes leading to diabetes
  • Thinning skin and increased bruising
  • Decreased function of your immune system, leading to delay healing
To obstruct the side-effects of corticosteroid treatment, doctor is likely to supervise the bone density and may advise vitamin D and calcium supplements or some other medications to prevent bone loss. Doctor is also likely to supervise the blood pressure of the patient and may suggest an exercise program and medication to regulate blood pressure. Most side-effects reduce when the corticosteroid treatment is terminated.

Emerging treatments
Scientists are trying to find therapies that act as well as corticosteroids with fewer side-effects. One drug under analysis is methotrexate, which is mostly used to treat many cancers and some inflammatory conditions which include rheumatoid arthritis.

Home remedies:

Eat a healthy diet
Eating well can help in prevent from many problems like high blood pressure, thinning bones and diabetes. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, whole grains and fish and take limited salt, sugar and alcohol. Be sure to get sufficient quantity of calcium and vitamin D.

Exercise regularly
Regular exercise like walking can prevent from loss, diabetes and high blood pressure. It also enhances the activity of heart and lungs. In addition, most people determine that exercise makes their mood good and especially sense of well-being. If you are not used to exercising, start it gradually.

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