General Information About Vasculitis
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is when the immune cells mistake their own blood vessels (arteries or veins) for enemies and inflame them, and this inflammation narrows the vessel, stopping the flow of blood/oxygen to the organs.
Vasculitis can affect any vessel. If it affects the skin, it causes a rash/sore; if it affects the kidneys, it causes blood in the urine/kidney failure; if it affects the brain, it causes a stroke; if it affects the lungs, it causes bloody coughing.
Those affecting giant vessels like the aorta are called Takayasu arteritis or Temporal Arteritis. Those affecting the capillaries are called HSP, Behçet, or ANCA-associated vasculitis.
Most cases are Idiopathic (cause is unknown). However, Hepatitis B/C viruses, blood cancers, or other immune problems like rheumatoid arthritis can trigger this condition.
Inflammatory markers (Sedimentation, CRP) and specific antibodies like ANCA are checked in the blood. The definitive diagnosis is always made by examining a tissue biopsy taken from the affected organ (skin, kidney, etc.) in pathology, or by mapping the vessel with Angiography.
Because the disease is very serious and capable of rotting the organs, high-dose Cortisone (steroid) treatment is started immediately. Chemotherapy drugs or Biological Agents (Smart Drugs) that suppress the immune system are used to stop the inflammation in the long term.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
