What is Vasculitis?

Symptoms

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Vasculitis can appear with a wide range of symptoms, from mild to potentially fatal. It depends on the organs affected, the kind of vasculitis, and the severity of the disorder. Sometimes signs and symptoms appear gradually over months, while other times they appear suddenly over days or weeks. Typical signs include:

• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Body aches and pains

When to see a doctor?

If you experience any vasculitis signs or symptoms, make an appointment with the doctor. Early identification is essential for successfully treating certain types of vasculitis because they can cause complications.

Causes

The exact cause of Vasculitis disease is unknown. In a few cases genetic factors might play a role in the development of the disease. Other reasons include an attack of the immune system on the blood vessels resulting in their inflammation. The triggers for this immune system response are:

• Blood cancers
• Infections, such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C
• Immune system diseases, such as lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren’s syndrome.
• Reactions to certain medications

Risk Factors

Different risk factors apply depending on whether the vasculitis is primary or secondary. A family history of vasculitis is one of the risk factors for primary vasculitis; however, not everyone with risk factors will have vasculitis. Secondary vasculitis risk factors include:

• Autoimmune conditions including lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis
• Drug reaction
• History of blood cancer, such as leukaemia or lymphoma
• History of hepatitis B or C

Diagnosis

The doctor will do a physical examination and inquire about the medical history. The tests to diagnose vasculitis disease consist of:

• Blood tests may be done to check anaemia, to see whether particular antibodies are detected, and check for signs of excessively high levels of inflammation.
• Biopsy test is done to check for tissue damage or symptoms of inflammation.
• Blood pressure is measured since vasculitis frequently coexists with high blood pressure.
• Urinalysis to check for blood cells or aberrant protein levels that may suggest kidney disease.
• To determine if the heart is affected, electrocardiogram (EKG) and echocardiography (echo) are used.
• X-ray of the chest to determine whether vasculitis has affected the lungs or major arteries like the aorta or pulmonary arteries
• Lung function tests can evaluate the lungs function.
• Abdominal ultrasonography is used to examine the abdominal organs for signs of vasculitis.
• A CT scan to check for any damage to the internal organs or blood arteries in the abdomen
• MRI scan to evaluate any internal organ damage.
• Angiography to determine whether a particular blood artery is blocked, malformed, enlarged, or narrowed.

Treatment

Depending on the affected organs and the severity of the disease, different types of vasculitis are treated differently.

• The goal of treatments is often to reduce immunological activity and reduce inflammation.
• Prednisone and other cortisone-related drugs are often used.
• Various immune suppressants and others are also taken into consideration.
• Additionally, some medical treatments may be necessary for the damaged organs when the condition is active.

Dos and Don’ts

Vasculitis is a rare condition that can be difficult to diagnose, but many patients recover and continue their normal, healthy lives. A proper diagnosis and efficient treatment are essential to avoid major harm to the body and the affected organs. It's important to follow the treatment regimen that the doctor has advised. These dos and don'ts can help people manage the condition by avoiding and reducing its negative consequences.

The treatment for vasculitis disease involves medications, a healthy lifestyle and staying away from infections.

Make and keep regular follow-up appointments with the doctor to keep track of the symptoms and to control the severity of the disease.