What is Vasculitis

Vasculitis is inflammation of the blood vessels. With vasculitis, the blood vessels can become thick, narrow, scarred, or weak. Enough blood may not be able to flow through them. This can cause damage to the muscles, kidneys, lungs, brain, and other parts of the body.

There are many types of vasculitis. The different types may affect different kinds of blood vessels or different areas of the body. Some types last only a short time, while others last a long time.

What are the causes?

The exact cause of this condition is not known. However, vasculitis can develop when the body’s defense system (immune system) attacks its own blood vessels. This attack can be caused by:

• An infection.
• An immune system disease, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or scleroderma.
• An allergic reaction to a medicine.
• A cancer that affects blood cells, such as leukemia or lymphoma.

What increases the risk?

The following factors may make you more likely to develop this condition:

• Being a smoker.
• Being under stress.
• Having a physical injury.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition depend on the type of vasculitis that you have. Symptoms that are common to all types of vasculitis include:

• Fever.
• Poor appetite.
• Weight loss.
• Feeling very tired (fatigue).
• Having aches and pains.
• Weakness.
• Numbness in an area of your body.

Symptoms for specific types of vasculitis include:

• Skin problems, such as sores, spots, or rashes.
• Trouble seeing.
• Trouble breathing.
• Coughing up blood.
• Blood in your urine.
• Headaches.
• Stomach pain.
• Stuffy or bloody nose.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

• Your symptoms.
• A physical exam.

You may also have tests, including:

• Blood tests.
• A urine test.
• A biopsy of a blood vessel.
• A test to measure the electrical signals moving through nerves (nerve conduction study).
• Imaging tests, such as:
  • X-rays.
  • CT scan.
  • Ultrasound.
  • MRI.
  • Angiogram.

How is this treated?

Treatment for this condition will depend on the type of vasculitis that you have and how severe the symptoms are. Sometimes treatment is not needed. Treatment often includes:

• Medicines.
• Physical therapy or occupational therapy. This helps strengthen muscles that were weakened by the disease.

You will need to see your health care provider while you are being treated. During follow-up visits, your health care provider may:

• Perform blood tests and bone density tests.
• Check your blood pressure and blood sugar.
• Check for side effects of any medicines you are taking.

Vasculitis cannot always be cured. Sometimes symptoms go away but the disease does not (the disease goes into remission). If symptoms return, increased treatment may be needed.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Exercise as directed. Talk with your health care provider about what exercises are okay for you to do. Exercises that increase your heart rate (aerobic exercise), such as walking, are usually recommended. Aerobic exercise helps control your blood pressure and prevent bone loss.
• Follow a healthy diet. Make sure your diet includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy sources of protein.
• Learn as much as you can about vasculitis, and consider joining a support group.
  • Talk to other people who have your condition. This may help you cope with the illness.
  • Talk with your health care provider if you feel stressed, anxious, or depressed.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your symptoms return or you have new symptoms.
• Your fever, fatigue, headache, or weight loss gets worse.
• You have signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, tenderness, warmth, or a new fever.
• Your pain does not go away, even after you take pain medicine.
• Your nose bleeds.

Get help right away if:

• Your vision gets worse.
• You have chest pain or stomach pain.
• You have trouble breathing.
• One side of your face or body suddenly becomes weak or numb.
• There is blood in your urine.

Summary

• Vasculitis is inflammation of the blood vessels that may cause them to become thick, narrow, scarred, or weak. Enough blood may not be able to flow through them. This can cause damage throughout your body.
• The exact cause of this condition is not known. However, vasculitis can develop when the body’s immune system attacks its own blood vessels. This attack may be caused by an infection, an immune system disease, an allergic reaction to a medicine, or a cancer that affects blood cells, such as leukemia or lymphoma.
• Vasculitis cannot always be cured. Sometimes symptoms go away but the disease does not (the disease goes into remission). If symptoms return, increased treatment may be needed.