If she is experiencing visual changes or loss of vision, calling 911 is warranted as these are signs of an acute emergency that requires urgent intervention. In less acute situations, going directly to the emergency room may be appropriate, but it is important to communicate the urgency of the symptoms to healthcare providers upon arrival.
7. What Doctors Will Do First: Exams, Blood Tests, And Scans
Upon arriving at the emergency room, doctors will conduct a thorough evaluation to assess the severity of the symptoms. This typically includes a physical examination, focusing on the head and eyes, to check for tenderness and swelling of the temporal arteries.
Blood tests, such as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), may be ordered to detect inflammation. In some cases, imaging studies like an ultrasound or MRI of the temporal arteries may be performed to assess the extent of the inflammation. These tests help guide the diagnosis and treatment plan.