Vasculitis is an umbrella term that encompasses many diseases responsible for causing inflammation of blood vessels. This term refers to not just inflammation of the walls of blood vessels, but also to the damage to the walls.
The causes of vasculitis are not known. However, doctors do know that all vasculitis diseases display abnormality of the immune system and inflammation of blood vessels. Each type of vasculitis has its own specific symptoms. In fact, vasculitis symptoms are dependent on the organ affected.
One of the examples of vasculitis is Churg-Strauss syndrome. This syndrome occurs in people who have a history of allergy or asthma. In this syndrome, the blood vessels in the skin, nerves, lungs and abdomen get inflamed, and usually the veins and the small arteries are affected. Again, the causes of Churg-Strauss Syndrome are not known, but it is known that people with overactive immune system have a higher risk of developing it. Medications, namely leukotriene modifiers used for asthma, are known to contribute to the development of this syndrome.
Other examples of vasculitis include Kawasaki disease, Behcet's disease, Henoch-Schonlein purpura, giant cell arteritis, cryoglobulinemia and Takayasu's arteritis. Vasculitis can also develop due to infections, such as Hepatitis B, or when exposed to chemicals like cocaine and amphetamines, certain medications, rheumatic diseases and cancers.
There is a vast number of possible symptoms, as any organ can be affected by the condition. If the skin is affected, one of the symptoms would most probably be rashes. If the nerves are involved, vasculitis symptoms would tend to occur in two phases. The first phase includes abnormal sensation and in the second phase, the person would suffer from muscle weakness or loss of sensation in the affected area.
If vasculitis occurs in the brain, it can result in a stroke. When the heart is affected, it could lead to a heart attack. If the kidneys are involved, it may cause many renal abnormalities, which could progress to kidney failure.
However, at times, vasculitis symptoms can be general in nature. The person may experience loss of appetite, loss of energy, weight loss and fever.
Vasculities diseases are diagnosed by testing the blood or the body fluids. The test will show whether the blood vessels are inflamed. Also, other tests are performed to check the functioning of the organs. However, definitive diagnosis of vasculitis requires biopsy of the affected tissue. Usually, tissue samples of the lungs, nerves, kidney, sinuses and skin are taken. A person may also have to undergo an angiogram, which allows the specialist to discern the pattern of the inflammation in the blood vessels.
The treatment is based on the severity of the disease and the organs involved. Usually, the treatment focuses on reducing inflammation and suppressing the person's immune system. For this, cortisone-based drugs are used along with immune suppression medications, such as cyclophosphamide. In addition, the affected organs also are treated.
If you notice any strange symptoms, you should consult your doctor immediately. Vasculitis can be serious, as the affected blood vessel can rupture and bleed, causing death. However, such scenarios are quite rare.