An autoimmune disorder in which inflammation (swelling) in the blood vessels occurs is called vasculitis. Thus, it becomes difficult for the blood to flow through these swollen vessels. However, reduced blood flow may cause organ or tissue damage (sometimes permanent).
In normal circumstances, there are 3 types of blood vessels that carry blood to the body’s structures and organs. For example:
- Arteries – These channels carry blood from the heart muscle to the rest of the body.
- Veins – These blood vessels carry blood back to the heart to get oxygen.
- Capillaries – Small blood vessels that link arteries and veins are called capillaries.
Most people can manage their symptoms with medicines. Furthermore, if you develop a severe form of vasculitis, it may be fatal because reduced blood flow causes permanent damage to multiple organs in the body.
If you experience fever or numbness in the hands or feet without obvious reasons, do not hesitate to see a doctor. You should go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 in the U.S. or the emergency number from your area if you experience shortness of breath or myocardial infarction symptoms (such as sudden chest pain).
In addition, this condition can affect any blood vessel in the body, including those that are connected to the following organs and structures. For example:
Types of Vasculitis
In general, there are more than 30 types of this autoimmune disorder. Check below some of them:
- ANCA-associated vasculitis – These include GPA (granulomatosis with polyangiitis), MPA (microscopic polyangiitis), and EGPA (eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis).
- Polyarteritis nodosa
- IgA vasculitis (also known as Henoch-Schonlein purpura)
- Central nervous system vasculitis
- Rheumatoid vasculitis
- Giant cell arteritis
- Takayasu arteritis
- Behcet’s disease
- Urticarial vasculitis
- Kawasaki disease
- Vasculitis in children
Symptoms
Usually, people with vasculitis experience different symptoms because it depends on the severity and location of the affected blood vessels. Check below the most common symptoms:
- Rashes, bumps, or skin discoloration
- Tingling or numbness in the feet or hands
- Cough
- Breathing problems
- Weight loss
- Weakness
- Joint pain
- Abdominal (belly) pain
- Kidney issues (such as dark or bloody urine)
- Strokes
- Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
- Fever
Contact your doctor right away if any of the previous symptoms occur.
Causes
This health condition occurs when the immune system produces antibodies that mistakenly attack the body instead of germs. Nowadays, healthcare providers do not fully understand why it occurs. However, certain diseases may cause inflammation in the body, which triggers vasculitis. Examples include:
- Infections
- Other autoimmune disorders
- Adverse reactions to some medicines
- Some types of cancer
When physicians cannot identify the exact cause or trigger of this condition, it is called idiopathic vasculitis.
Risk Factors
Physicians have identified some factors that could increase your risk of vasculitis or even trigger it. Check below some examples:
- Tobacco products
- Illegal drugs (such as cocaine)
- Some medications (including Hydralazine, Levamisole, Allopurinol, and others)
- A family history of the disease
- Other autoimmune conditions (including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and others)
- COVID-19
- Hepatitis B or C
- Lymphoma
What Are The Potential Complications of Vasculitis?
People with vasculitis frequently experience complications, especially without treatment. Check below some examples:
- Blood clots
- Aneurysms
- Organ damage
- Vision loss
- Infections
- Neurological problems
- Kidney failure
- Lung issues
- Skin problems (including ulcers, blisters, and rashes)
- Cardiovascular disease (such as valvular disease, coronary arteritis, and others)
- Increased risk for certain cancers
Consult with your physician about ways to prevent vasculitis complications.
How to Prevent Vasculitis?
Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent vasculitis because doctors do not know what causes it. Moreover, healthcare providers cannot determine whether a person will have vasculitis in the future or not.
Diagnosis
First, physicians will perform a physical examination to check for irregularities linked to the disease. Thereafter, they may also perform some tests to confirm the condition and rule out others that cause similar symptoms. Check below some tests often involved in the diagnosis of vasculitis:
- Biopsy – During this procedure, doctors will take a small sample of the affected tissue for testing.
- Blood tests
- Angiograms
- Test to determine the function of damaged organs
Usually, people with vasculitis are referred to a rheumatologist (a healthcare specialist trained in treating inflammatory diseases).
Treatment
Physicians usually recommend different treatments for people who develop vasculitis. It often depends on the severity and location of the disease, age, overall health, and preferences. Check below some medicines that help relieve the symptoms and improve your quality of life:
- Corticosteroids
- ACE inhibitors
- Immunosuppressants or biologics
In addition, if this autoimmune disorder causes significant damage to blood vessels, physicians may recommend surgery to repair or remove the damaged part of the blood vessel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is vasculitis curable?
No, but with early diagnosis and proper treatment, you can reduce the symptoms and improve your quality of life. Sometimes, this condition enters remission for months or years before it causes symptoms again.
When should I see my healthcare provider?
If you experience new symptoms or worsening of existing ones, contact your doctor immediately. It is advised to go to the nearest emergency room (ER) or call 911 if you experience any of the following symptoms. Examples include:
- Trouble breathing
- Symptoms of a heart attack (myocardial infarction)
- Sudden loss of vision
What is the life expectancy of vasculitis?
The 1-year survival rate ranges from 77% to 100%. However, 5-year survival ranges from 46% to 85% and the 10-year survival rate from 60% to 80%, according to certain studies. If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare provider.
