Vasculitis

Vasculitis has many types, and it can affect the blood vessels anywhere in the body, and although it’s rare, it can lead to death sometimes.

Vasculitis

Vasculitis (blood vessel inflammation) causes swelling and irritation in the blood vessels, and, in turn, this leads to increasing the thickness of the blood vessel’s wall, and that restricts the blood flow in it, which results in several issues.

Causes of vasculitis

Vasculitis is an autoimmune disease, which means that the immune system attacks the body itself. There isn’t a clear reason behind this condition, but it’s thought that it’s triggered due to the following factors:

• Infections.
• Other diseases in the immune system, such as rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and lupus.
• Blood cancers.
• Certain medications.

Symptoms of vasculitis

• Extreme tiredness, weakness, and a general feeling of being sick.
• Fever.
• Rashes, bumps, or patches of discolored skin.
• Numbness or tingling, mostly in the hands and feet.
• Ringing in the ears.
• Joint pain.
• Abdominal pain.
• Weight loss.
• Coughing and breathing difficulties.
• Kidney problems.
• Strokes.
• Vasculitis can lead to serious complications, depending on the affected organ, such as damaging a major organ, blood clots, vision loss, hearing loss, and weakening the immune system, which makes the body more prone to infections.

Diagnosis of vasculitis

• Physical exam.
• Blood tests.
• Imaging tests.
• Biopsy.

Treatment of vasculitis

• Vasculitis can’t be cured, but it can be managed with medications and surgeries to repair damaged blood vessels in some cases.