{"id":8952,"date":"2019-11-28T13:24:57","date_gmt":"2019-11-28T02:24:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/arthritisaustralia.com.au\/?p=8952"},"modified":"2020-08-17T11:56:32","modified_gmt":"2020-08-17T01:56:32","slug":"new-campaign-reveals-blind-spot-for-older-australians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/old.arthritisaustralia.org.au\/wordpress\/new-campaign-reveals-blind-spot-for-older-australians\/","title":{"rendered":"New campaign reveals blind spot for older Australians"},"content":{"rendered":"

Arthritis Australia is urging older Australians to look out for symptoms of silent inflammation that
\ncould put their eyesight at risk, and to speak to their doctor without delay.<\/p>\n

More than a thousand Australians over 50 years old are affected each year by Giant Cell Arteritis<\/a>,
\nan autoimmune disease where the body mistakenly attacks its own healthy blood vessels. This can
\ninterrupt blood flow and causes pain and inflammation in the temples. Without timely diagnosis
\nand treatment, Giant Cell Arteritis can cause irreversible blindness within days of symptom onset.<\/p>\n

Launching a new campaign to raise awareness of the condition, Arthritis Australia CEO Andrew
\nMills said there was a real danger that many Australians will not have heard of Giant Cell Arteritis
\nand may just put up with the symptoms.<\/p>\n

\u201cGiant Cell Arteritis is considered a medical emergency because of the short window to save the
\nperson\u2019s eyesight, so it is essential that older Australians who experience possible symptoms of this
\ncondition don\u2019t hesitate to speak to their doctor.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe good news is that doctors are increasingly well equipped to diagnose and treat this condition,
\nas long as people affected come forward,\u201d Mr Mills said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPossible symptoms of the condition include new headaches (usually on one side of the head
\nonly), fatigue, a tender scalp or temples, sudden vision loss, dizziness, pain in the jaw, persistent
\nsore throat or difficulty swallowing.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople with polymyalgia rheumatica should be particularly alert to these symptoms as one in five
\npeople with this condition may also develop Giant Cell Arteritis,\u201d Mr Mills said.<\/p>\n

Until now, Australians have had to look overseas for information about the condition, leading to
\nlow public awareness which Arthritis Australia says is \u201cconspiring to put older Australians at
\nunnecessary risk\u201d.<\/p>\n

Arthritis Australia has released new information about Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) on its website
\nthat includes videos featuring a medical expert and a person living with GCA since 2014.
\nJudy O\u2019Neil from Sydney was 48 hours away from going blind in her left eye when her doctor
\nidentified inflammation that led to the diagnosis of GCA.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s very important that when you notice something irregular, you connect with a doctor
\nimmediately to find out the cause because it\u2019s such a diabolical disease,\u201d Judy said.
\nArthritis Australia thanked rheumatologist Dr Irwin Lim and his patient Judy O\u2019Neil for their help
\nin spreading the word about GCA.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hope our campaign will raise awareness of the symptoms and help reduce the toll of Giant
\nCell Arteritis,\u201d Mr Mills said.<\/p>\n

About Giant Cell Arteritis<\/h3>\n

Giant Cell Arteritis<\/a> is a condition which occurs when blood vessels or arteries become inflamed.
\nThe condition is usually diagnosed following a review of symptoms, a physical examination, blood
\ntests, and a biopsy, where a small piece of tissue is removed from in front of the ear and then
\nexamined under a microscope.<\/p>\n

Giant Cell Arteritis can be treated with anti-inflammatory medication, usually beginning with
\ncorticosteroids and progressing to disease-modifying therapy if the condition worsens. The
\nAustralian Government recently included a new medicine on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
\nfor eligible GCA patients. Medication should be matched with a healthy diet, appropriate exercise,
\nand plenty of rest.<\/p>\n