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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffWhen giant cell arteritis is diagnosed and treated early, the prognosis is usually excellent. Your symptoms should improve within just a few hours or days of beginning corticosteroid treatment, and your vision isn't likely to be affected. Your greatest challenge in this case may be coping with any side effects of your medication. The following suggestions may help:
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Eat a healthy diet. Eating well can help prevent potential problems, such as thinning bones, high blood pressure and diabetes. Emphasize fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats and fish, while limiting salt, sugar and alcohol. Be sure to get adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D.
Good food sources of calcium include milk; low-fat plain yogurt; Swiss, Cheddar and ricotta cheeses; spinach; okra; kale; canned salmon with the bones or sardines; and orange juice, cereals, tofu and other products fortified with calcium. If you find it hard to get calcium from your diet because you can't eat dairy products, for example, try calcium supplements combined with vitamin D. Experts recommend 1,200 milligrams of calcium and 800 international units (IU) of vitamin D a day.
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Exercise regularly. Regular aerobic exercise, such as walking or jogging, can help prevent bone loss, high blood pressure and diabetes. It also benefits your heart and lungs. In addition, many people find that exercise improves their mood and overall sense of well-being.
If you're not used to exercising, start out slowly and build up gradually, aiming for at least 30 minutes on most days. Your doctor can help you plan an exercise program that's right for you.
