Giant Cell Arteriitis (GCA)

Giant Cell Arteriitis (GCA) is a rheumatic inflammation of medium and large size arteries, a vasculitis. It is mainly found in the arteries of the head, in particular in the temples. By rare exception, resulting from delay in diagnosis and consequently delayed treatment, the disease may turn into a multiple condition and can progress fatally. Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Usually, but not always, patients suffering from GCA also suffer from Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR). PMR is an ailment with inflammation of the muscles, in particular those in the neck, shoulders, upper arms, pelvis and upper legs. Significantly, pain is in both sides of the body. Disorders are rare GCA and PMR are usually considered as auto-immune illnesses. They belong to a group of six to eight thousand Rare Diseases, also referred to as Orphan Diseases. Each year, world wide, an estimated number of 4 million patients come to suffer from these rare diseases, of which appr. 15% from GCA. Both diseases are more common in women than in men by a ratio of 3:1, and more common in white than coloured patients. The majority of patients is born and/or live in regions with a colder climate. So, the diseases are rarer in warmer areas of the world. Signifigance of Early Recognition and Early Diagnosis Both illnesses can be cured successfully, provided they are recognized and diagnosed as early as possible: Early Recognition > Early Diagnosis = Better Prognosis. Symptomatrix = Early Recognition Practice shows that it is not always possible to determine the mutual connection in complaints and consequently to recognise GCA and PMR timely. Complaints/symptoms are quite often treated individually and for quite some time, for instance as side effects of cold or as aches and pains that may disappear by physiotherapeutical treatment. Typically without results: the complaints persist or return. As a result frequently (too) much time elapses before the diseases are properly diagnosed and adequate treatment is started. Consequently patients quite often have to suffer from unnecessary progression of GCA and/or PMR, with all its consequences and risks. With the slogan: Earlier Recognised > Earlier Diagnosed = Better Prognosis, the Symptomatrix helps to overcome these problems and to shorten the process of diagnosis significantly. Symptomatrix and GP Without doubt the family doctor is the right person for a diagnosis or referral to a specialist for the purpose. Thus, the Symptomatrix is not meant to be a tool for uncontrolled self-diagnosis. It is just an expedient for patient and family doctor to arrive at a rapid diagnosis. A growing number of people search the internet for an explanation for their complaints. This results in efficient cooperation between family doctors and patients. A well prepared patient, in this respect with the help of the Symptomatrix, supports the family doctor in most cases in fast recognition rapid diagnosis and instant treatment of GCA and PMR. Filling out and printing the Symptomatrix Complaints, like headache, a temperature and stiffness are quite common. Only rather unique combinations of symptoms are characteristic of the rare diseases GCA and PMR. Voorbeelden van die combinaties zijn: Examples of such combinations are: 1. fatigue, stiffness of the jaws, painful jaws when chewing, headache, changing or reduced eyesight, blindness (irreversible, most feared) 2. headache, a temperature, tongue problems, sensitive scalp, bloated arteries of the temples, stiffness in joints and muscles, poor or lack of appetite. And any combination of 1. and 2. Click to complete and next to print the Symptomatrix.

GCA and PMR explained

Giant Cell Arteriitis (GCA)

Giant Cell Arteriitis (GCA) is a rheumatic inflammation of medium and large size arteries, a vasculitis. It is mainly found in the arteries of the head, in particular in the temples. By rare exception, resulting from delay in diagnosis and consequently delayed treatment, the disease may turn into a multiple condition and can progress fatally. Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Usually, but not always, patients suffering from GCA also suffer from Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR). PMR is an ailment with inflammation of the muscles, in particular those in the neck, shoulders, upper arms, pelvis and upper legs. Significantly, pain is in both sides of the body. Disorders are rare GCA and PMR are usually considered as auto-immune illnesses. They belong to a group of six to eight thousand Rare Diseases, also referred to as Orphan Diseases. Each year, world wide, an estimated number of 4 million patients come to suffer from these rare diseases, of which appr. 15% from GCA. Both diseases are more common in women than in men by a ratio of 3:1, and more common in white than coloured patients. The majority of patients is born and/or live in regions with a colder climate. So, the diseases are rarer in warmer areas of the world. Signifigance of Early Recognition and Early Diagnosis Both illnesses can be cured successfully, provided they are recognized and diagnosed as early as possible: Early Recognition > Early Diagnosis = Better Prognosis. Symptomatrix = Early Recognition Practice shows that it is not always possible to determine the mutual connection in complaints and consequently to recognise GCA and PMR timely. Complaints/symptoms are quite often treated individually and for quite some time, for instance as side effects of cold or as aches and pains that may disappear by physiotherapeutical treatment. Typically without results: the complaints persist or return. As a result frequently (too) much time elapses before the diseases are properly diagnosed and adequate treatment is started. Consequently patients quite often have to suffer from unnecessary progression of GCA and/or PMR, with all its consequences and risks. With the slogan: Earlier Recognised > Earlier Diagnosed = Better Prognosis, the Symptomatrix helps to overcome these problems and to shorten the process of diagnosis significantly. Symptomatrix and GP Without doubt the family doctor is the right person for a diagnosis or referral to a specialist for the purpose. Thus, the Symptomatrix is not meant to be a tool for uncontrolled self-diagnosis. It is just an expedient for patient and family doctor to arrive at a rapid diagnosis. A growing number of people search the internet for an explanation for their complaints. This results in efficient cooperation between family doctors and patients. A well prepared patient, in this respect with the help of the Symptomatrix, supports the family doctor in most cases in fast recognition rapid diagnosis and instant treatment of GCA and PMR. Filling out and printing the Symptomatrix Complaints, like headache, a temperature and stiffness are quite common. Only rather unique combinations of symptoms are characteristic of the rare diseases GCA and PMR. Examples of such combinations are: 1. fatigue, stiffness of the jaws, painful jaws when chewing, headache, changing or reduced eyesight, blindness (irreversible, most feared) 2. headache, a temperature, tongue problems, sensitive scalp, bloated arteries of the temples, stiffness in joints and muscles, poor or lack of appetite. And any combination of 1. and 2. Click to complete and next to print the Symptomatrix.

GCA and PMR explained

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