Vasculitis is inflammation of your blood vessels.
It causes changes in the blood vessel walls, including thickening, weakening, narrowing or scarring. These changes can restrict blood flow, resulting in organ and tissue damage.
There are many types of vasculitis, and most of them are rare. Vasculitis might affect just one organ, or several. The condition can be short term (acute) or long lasting (chronic).
Depending on the type you have, you may improve without treatment. Some types require medications to control the inflammation and prevent flare-ups.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of vasculitis vary greatly. They're often related to decreased blood flow throughout the body.
General signs and symptoms of vasculitis include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- General aches and pains
- Night sweats
- Rash
- Nerve problems, such as numbness or weakness
Other signs and symptoms are related only to certain types of vasculitis. The symptoms can develop early and rapidly or in later stages of the disease.
Causes
The exact cause of vasculitis isn't fully understood.
Some types are related to a person's genetic makeup. Others result from the immune system attacking blood vessel cells by mistake. Possible triggers for this immune system reaction include: Infections, such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C, blood cancers, immune system diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and scleroderma
Reactions to certain drugs also should be considered.
Blood vessels affected by vasculitis may bleed or become inflamed. Inflammation can cause the layers of the blood vessel wall to thicken. This narrows the blood vessels, reducing the amount of blood — and therefore oxygen and vital nutrients — that reaches your body's tissues and organs.
Complications
Vasculitis complications depend on the type and severity of your condition. Or they may be related to side effects of the prescription medications you use to treat the condition.
Complications of vasculitis include:
- Organ damage.
- Blood clots and aneurysms.
- Vision loss or blindness.
- Infections.
Diagnosis
Your doctor likely will start by taking your medical history and performing a physical exam. He or she may have you undergo one or more diagnostic tests: Blood tests, urine tests, Imaging tests, X-rays of blood vessels, biopsy.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vasculitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20363435
