Inflammation of a blood vessel may cause it to narrow or close off, which limits or prevents normal blood flow. Rarely, the affected blood vessel can stretch and weaken, causing an aneurysm. There are about 20 different conditions that are classified as vasculitis, including:
Behcet’s Disease Buerger’s Disease Central Nervous System Vasculitis Churg-Strauss Syndrome Cryoglobulinemia Giant Cell Arteritis Henoch-Schonlein Purpura Microscopic Polyangiitis Polyarteritis Nodosa Polymyalgia Rheumatica Rheumatoid Vasculitis Takayasu’s Arteritis Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms linked to vasculitis vary, depending on the type of blood vessel and organs involved. Common signs and symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, and pain. Signs and symptoms that are more related to the affected body part include:
Skin: reddish/purple spots, nodules, or ulcers
Lungs: shortness of breath, coughingNerves: numbness or weakness in an extremityJoints: aches, pains, and arthritisGastrointestinal Tract: mouth ulcers, abdominal pain, intestinal bleedingSinus and ENT: sinus inflammation, middle ear inflammation, nose ulcers, hearing lossEyes: red, itchy, or burning eyes, blurry vision, light sensitivity, blindnessBrain: headache, mental function changes, stroke-like symptoms
Causes
The cause of vasculitis is not completely known or understood. It is believed that infection, medication reactions, and autoimmune disease can be triggers. Vasculitis can be associated with other rheumatic diseases, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren’s syndrome—but most patients with vasculitis do not have any of these underlying conditions. Depending on the cause, vasculitis can be mild, severe, or life-threatening. It can occur as a single episode of symptoms or multiple events.
Diagnosis
As with most medical conditions, the diagnosis of vasculitis is based on a combination of findings that include signs and symptoms, medical history, physical examination, and results from diagnostic tests. Certain blood tests can point to signs of anemia (hemoglobin and hematocrit tests) and non-specific signs of inflammation (erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein). Another blood test, ANCA (anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies), is used as a diagnostic marker for systemic vasculitis.
Blood pressure can be elevated, especially when there is kidney involvement. High levels of protein or blood cells found in a urinalysis can also be indicative of kidney involvement. Electrocardiogram (EKG) or heart echocardiogram is used to check any abnormalities related to the heart. Chest X-ray, lung function tests, abdominal ultrasound, CT scans of organs, and MRI angiography to check blood vessels are all tests available to help formulate a diagnosis. Examining tissue samples via biopsy is another means for checking blood vessels for signs of inflammation or tissue damage.
Treatment
The prescribed treatment will depend on the type of vasculitis and the organs involved, as well as the severity and progression of the condition. Typically, medications will be prescribed to control inflammation, immunosuppressants may be used to treat the overactive immune system, and other medications can help mitigate any specific symptoms. Glucocorticoids, more commonly referred to as steroids, are a mainstay in the treatment of vasculitis.
A Word From Verywell
While vasculitis is considered a rare condition, there is an urgency related to its diagnosis. There is no cure for vasculitis, but early diagnosis and treatment can help control symptoms and manage the progression of tissue and organ damage.
