# What are the most common symptoms of giant cell arteritis? Canonical page: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/ma-hiya-alaeradh-alakthar-shiuean-lialtihab-alshiryan-dhi-alkhalaya-aleamilaqa Language: en Category: neurology Publisher: ClinicsJo Published: 2026-09-13T08:09:51.925Z Content updated: 2026-09-13T08:09:51.925Z Translation (ar): https://clinicsjo.com/ar/faq/ma-hiya-alaeradh-alakthar-shiuean-lialtihab-alshiryan-dhi-alkhalaya-aleamilaqa Giant cell arteritis, also known as temporal arteritis or cranial arteritis, is an inflammatory condition affecting the body's large blood vessels. This inflammation results from an abnormal immune system attack on arterial walls, which may cause them to become enlarged, scarred, or even completely blocked, thereby reducing the flow of oxygen-rich blood to vital organs [\[2\]](). This condition primarily affects individuals aged 50 and older and is most common in the 70 to 89 age group [\[2\]](). ## Most Common Clinical Symptoms The symptoms of giant cell arteritis vary depending on the affected blood vessels and the site of inflammation. Some of the most concerning signs that warrant immediate medical evaluation include: - **Severe and unusual headache:** This is often a new and persistent headache that does not respond to standard painkillers and is typically localized in the temple area [\[2\]](). - **Vision problems:** A patient may experience blurred vision, double vision, or even sudden vision loss resulting from the involvement of the ophthalmic artery, which supplies the eye [\[2\]](). - **Jaw and tongue pain:** Patients may feel pain or difficulty in the jaw while chewing or swallowing, a classic symptom indicating reduced blood supply to the muscles of mastication [\[2\]](). - **Scalp tenderness:** Temporal arteries may become abnormally sensitive to touch, making brushing hair or touching the scalp painful [\[2\]](). In addition to localized symptoms, many patients suffer from general systemic symptoms such as fever, a feeling of general malaise (fatigue), unexplained weight loss, and muscle and joint pain [\[2\]](), [\[3\]](). ## When does the condition require emergency medical care? Because giant cell arteritis can lead to serious complications such as strokes caused by blood clots in inflamed arteries or permanent vision loss resulting from the blockage of arteries supplying the eye, any sudden onset of neurological or visual symptoms requires immediate medical attention [\[2\]](). Any severe and sudden headache appearing in elderly individuals should not be neglected, as leaving the condition untreated can lead to serious, irreversible health consequences [\[2\]](). ## Diagnosis and Comprehensive Testing Diagnosis of this inflammation does not rely on a single symptom alone; rather, physicians combine medical history with physical examinations and laboratory tests. The doctor may request blood tests to evaluate inflammation levels in the body, such as the C-reactive protein (CRP) test [\[1\]](). Although an elevated CRP level clearly indicates an inflammatory process, it does not identify the precise location or cause of the inflammation, so it is used as part of a comprehensive diagnostic panel alongside other tests such as imaging or biopsies [\[1\]](), [\[2\]](). For more details on the treatment path and complications, you can read the article [Giant Cell Arteritis: Early Diagnosis and Treatment to Prevent Complications (Arabic)](). ## Medical references - [Vasculitis in the Nervous System]() - [C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test]() - [Vasculitis What Is Vasculitis?]() General health education; not a substitute for individualized clinical assessment. Citation URL: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/ma-hiya-alaeradh-alakthar-shiuean-lialtihab-alshiryan-dhi-alkhalaya-aleamilaqa#answer