Vasculitis Symptoms

Vasculitis, a common banner for a group of diseases that are caused due to the inflammation of the blood vessels; arteries, veins and capillaries. This disorder affects the working of the vascular system impairing primary function of the arteries of supplying oxygen rich blood to the tissues of the body, and of the veins of returning oxygen depleted blood back to the heart. Angiitis is another term for vasculitis and is a condition that needs medical intervention. Before we get on to its symptoms, it is imperative to understand its causes.

Vasculitis

Causes
Why the blood vessels inflame is still under research, but there are a few reasons for them to thicken, weaken, narrow, stretch, close off completely and/or scar. The foremost cause is the attack by the immune system itself. It is not very clear as to why the immune system would do so, but an infection, immune system diseases, autoimmune disorders or an allergic reaction mostly work as triggers. Certain cancers that affect the blood cells, such as leukemia and lymphoma, may also cause vasculitis. Infection that has come and gone can somehow trigger an abnormal response in an individual's immune system, resulting in damage of any of the blood vessels. Vasculitis may also be the result of long term chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc.

There are many different disorders that are classified as vasculitis, and they often differ with respect to the organ affected. They are:

• Wegener's Granulomatosis
• Rheumatoid Vasculitis
• Giant Cell Arteritis
• Behcet's Disease
• Churg-Strauss Syndrome
• Buerger's Disease
• Kawasaki Disease
• Henoch-Schönlein Purpura
• Polyarteritis Nodosa
• Cryoglobulinemia
• Takayasu's Arteritis
• Central Nervous System Vasculitis

Symptoms
Symptoms of vasculitis are wide ranging and include a low-grade fever that may or may not escalate, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, fatigue and tiredness, pain in the muscles, stiffness in joints, and in some cases swelling of the arteries and veins can be felt by touch. As blood flow is hampered and in certain cases completely blocked off, vasculitis can affect specific organs and body systems, each exhibiting its own symptoms. If vasculitis condition affects the brain, it may result in severe headaches or a stroke, in the heart - chest pain or a heart attack, or in the skin - rashes, spots, clusters of small dots, bruises or hives. Vasculitis in the joints may exhibit itself through joint stiffness, pain and could lead to joint related conditions like arthritis. Vasculitis in nerves causes numbness, tingling, shooting pain and weakness around the affected part.

Treatment
To affirm the severity of vasculitis and understand its underlying cause certain tests are recommended to make a diagnosis; blood or body fluids test, a biopsy of involved organ tissue, x-ray of the affected organ and an angiogram. Course and duration of the treatment is specific to the type of vasculitis (infected organ and blood vessels). Treatment aims at reducing inflammation, repairing the damaged or weakened blood vessels and restoring the health of the infected organ. Cortisone related drugs and/or immune suppression drugs are usually prescribed along with specific drugs to treat the organ or the condition that has resulted in vasculitis.

If one notices any of the above mentioned symptoms, one must seek immediate medical attention, for left untreated the condition can become very serious.