What Is Vasculitis?
Vasculitis (vas-kyu-LI-tis) is a condition that
involves inflammation in the blood vessels. The condition occurs if your immune
system attacks your blood vessels by mistake. This may happen as the result of
an infection, a medicine, or another disease or condition.
The inflammation can lead to serious problems.
Complications depend on which blood vessels, organs, or other body systems are
affected.
Overview
Vasculitis can affect any of the body's blood
vessels. These include arteries, veins, and capillaries. Arteries carry blood
from your heart to your body's organs. Veins carry blood from your organs and
limbs back to your heart. Capillaries connect the small arteries and veins.
When a blood vessel is inflamed, it can narrow or
close off. This limits or prevents blood from getting through the vessel.
Rarely, the blood vessel will stretch and weaken, causing it to bulge. This
bulge is known as an
aneurysm
(AN-u-rism).
Vasculitis
Figure A shows a normal artery with
normal blood flow. The inset image shows a cross-section of the normal artery.
Figure B shows an inflamed, narrowed artery with decreased blood flow. The
inset image shows a cross-section of the inflamed artery. Figure C shows an
inflamed, blocked (occluded) artery and scarring on the artery wall. The inset
image shows a cross-section of the blocked artery. Figure D shows an artery
with an aneurysm. The inset image shows a cross-section of the artery with an
aneurysm.
The disruption in blood flow from inflammation can
damage the body's organs. Signs and symptoms depend on which organs have been
damaged and the extent of the damage.
Typical symptoms of inflammation, such as fever and
general aches and pains, are common among people who have vasculitis.
Outlook
There are many types of vasculitis, but overall the
condition is rare. If you have vasculitis, the outlook depends on:
- The type of vasculitis you have
- Which organs are affected
- How quickly the condition worsens
- How severe the condition is
Treatment often works well if the condition is
diagnosed and treated early. In some cases, vasculitis may go into remission.
"Remission" means the condition isn't active, but it can come back, or "flare,"
at any time.
Some cases of vasculitis are chronic (ongoing) and
never go into remission. Long-term treatment with medicines often can control
the signs and symptoms of chronic vasculitis.
Rarely, vasculitis doesn't respond well to
treatment. This can lead to disability and even death.
Much is still unknown about vasculitis. However,
researchers continue to learn more about the condition and its various types,
causes, and treatments.
Types of Vasculitis
There are many types of vasculitis. Each type
involves inflamed blood vessels. However, most types differ in whom they affect
and the organs that are involved.
The types of vasculitis often are grouped based on
the size of the blood vessels they affect.
Mostly Large Vessel Vasculitis
These types of vasculitis usually, but not always,
affect the larger blood vessels.
Behçet's Disease
Behçet's (beh-CHET'S) disease can cause recurrent,
painful ulcers in the mouth, ulcers on the genitals, acne-like skin lesions,
and eye inflammation called uveitis (u-ve-I-tis).
The disease occurs most often in people aged 20 to
40. Men are more likely to get it, but it also can affect women. It's more
common in people of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Far Eastern descent,
although it rarely affects Blacks.
Researchers believe that a gene called the HLA-B51
gene may play a role in Behçet's disease. However, not everyone who has
the gene gets the disease.
Cogan's Syndrome
Cogan's syndrome can occur in people who have a
systemic vasculitis that affects the large vessels, especially the aorta and
aortic valve. The aorta is the main artery that carries oxygen-rich blood from
the heart to the body. A systemic vasculitis is a type of vasculitis that
affects you in a general or overall way.
Cogan's syndrome can lead to eye inflammation called
interstitial keratitis (in-ter-STISH-al ker-ah-TI-tis). It also can cause
hearing changes, including sudden deafness.
Giant Cell Arteritis
Giant cell arteritis (ar-ter-I-tis) usually affects the
temporal artery, an artery on the side of your head. This condition also is
called temporal arteritis. Symptoms of this condition can include headache,
scalp tenderness, jaw pain, blurred vision, double vision, and acute (sudden)
vision loss.
Giant cell arteritis is the most common form of
vasculitis in adults older than 50. It's more likely to occur in people of
Scandinavian origin, but it can affect people of any race.
Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Polymyalgia rheumatica (POL-e-my-AL-ja RU-ma-ti-kuh), or PMR,
commonly affects the large joints in the body, such as the shoulders and hips.
PMR typically causes stiffness and pain in the muscles of the neck, shoulders,
lower back, hips, and thighs.
Most often, PMR occurs by itself, but 10–20
percent of people who have PMR also develop giant cell arteritis. Also, about
half of the people who have giant cell arteritis also can have PMR.
Takayasu's Arteritis
Takayasu's (tock-e-AH-sues) arteritis affects
medium- and large-sized arteries, particularly the aorta and its branches. The
condition is sometimes called
aortic arch syndrome. Though rare, Takayasu's arteritis
occurs mostly in teenage girls and young women. The condition is more common in
Asians, but it can affect people of all races and occur throughout the world.
Takayasu's arteritis is a systemic disease. A
systemic disease is one that affects you in a general or overall way. Symptoms
of Takayasu's arteritis may include tiredness and a sense of feeling unwell,
fever, night sweats, sore joints, loss of appetite, and weight loss. These
symptoms usually occur before other signs develop that point to arteritis.
Mostly Medium Vessel Vasculitis
These types of vasculitis usually, but not always,
affect the medium-sized blood vessels.
Buerger's Disease
Buerger's disease, also known as thromboangiitis obliterans,
typically affects blood flow to the hands and feet. In this disease, the blood
vessels in the hands and feet tighten or become blocked. This causes less blood
to flow to the affected tissues, which can lead to pain and tissue damage.
Rarely, Buerger's disease also can affect blood
vessels in the brain, abdomen, and heart. The disease usually affects men aged
20 to 40 of Asian or Eastern European descent. The disease is strongly linked
to cigarette smoking.
Symptoms of Buerger's disease include pain in the
calves or feet when walking, or pain in the forearms and hands with activity.
Other symptoms include blood clots in the surface veins of the limbs and
Raynaud's
phenomenon.
In severe cases, ulcers may develop on the fingers
and toes, leading to gangrene. The term "gangrene" refers to the death or decay
of body tissues.
Surgical bypass of the blood vessels may help
restore blood flow to some areas. Medicines generally aren't effective
treatments. The best treatment is to stop using tobacco of any kind.
Central Nervous System Vasculitis
Central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis usually
occurs as a result of a systemic vasculitis. A systemic vasculitis is one that
affects you in a general or overall way.
Very rarely, vasculitis affects only the brain
and/or spinal cord. When it does, the condition is called isolated vasculitis
of the CNS or primary angiitis of the CNS.
Symptoms of CNS vasculitis are headache, problems
thinking clearly or changes in mental function, or stroke-like symptoms, such
as muscle weakness and paralysis (an inability to move).
Kawasaki Disease
Kawasaki
(KAH-wah-SAH-ke) disease is a rare childhood disease in which the walls of
the blood vessels throughout the body become inflamed. The disease can affect
any blood vessel in the body, including arteries, veins, and capillaries.
Kawasaki disease also is known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome.
Sometimes the disease affects the coronary arteries,
which carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart. As a result, a small number of
children who have Kawasaki disease may develop serious heart problems.
Polyarteritis Nodosa
Polyarteritis nodosa (POL-e-ar-ter-I-tis no-DO-suh) can affect
many parts of the body. It often affects the kidneys, the digestive tract, the
nerves, and the skin.
Symptoms often include fever, a general feeling of
being unwell, weight loss, and muscle and joint aches, including pain in the
calf muscles that develops over weeks or months. Other signs and symptoms
include
anemia
(a low red blood cell count), a lace- or web-like rash, bumps under the skin,
and abdominal pain after eating.
Researchers believe that this type of vasculitis is
very rare, although the symptoms can be similar to those of other types of
vasculitis. Some cases of polyarteritis nodosa seem to be linked to hepatitis B
or C infections.
Mostly Small Vessel Vasculitis
These types of vasculitis usually, but not always,
affect the small blood vessels.
Churg-Strauss Syndrome
Churg-Strauss syndrome is a very rare disorder that
causes blood vessel inflammation. It's also known as allergic angiitis and
granulomatosis (GRAN-u-lo-ma-TO-sis).
This disorder can affect many organs, including the
lungs, skin, kidneys, nervous system, and heart. Symptoms can vary widely. They
may include
asthma,
higher than normal levels of white blood cells in the blood and tissues, and
tissue formations known as granulomas.
Essential Mixed Cryoglobulinemia
Essential mixed cryoglobulinemia (KRI-o-GLOB-u-luh-NE-me-uh)
can occur alone, or it may be linked to a systemic vasculitis. A systemic
vasculitis is one that affects the body in a general or overall way.
Symptoms often include joint aches; weakness; nerve
changes, such as numbness, tingling, and pain in the limbs; kidney
inflammation; and a raised, bumpy, reddish-purple skin rash known as palpable
purpura (PURR-purr-ah).
While essential mixed cryoglobulinemia can occur
with other conditions, it most often is linked to chronic hepatitis C
infection.
Henoch-Schönlein Purpura
Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a type of vasculitis
that affects the smallest blood vessels—the capillaries—in the skin,
joints, intestines, and kidneys.
Symptoms often include abdominal pain, aching and
swollen joints, and signs of kidney damage, such as blood in the urine. Another
symptom is a bruise-like rash that mostly shows up as reddish-purple blotches
on the lower legs and buttocks (although it can appear anywhere on the
body).
HSP is more common in children, but it also can
affect teens and adults. In children, about half of all cases follow a viral or
bacterial upper respiratory infection. Most people get better in a few weeks
and have no lasting problems.
Hypersensitivity Vasculitis
Hypersensitivity vasculitis affects the skin. This
condition also is known as allergic vasculitis, cutaneous vasculitis, or
leukocytoclastic vasculitis.
A common symptom is red spots on the skin, usually
on the lower legs. For people who are bedridden, the rash appears on the lower
back.
An allergic reaction to a medicine or infection
often causes this type of vasculitis. Stopping the medicine or treating the
infection usually clears up the vasculitis. However, some people may need to
take anti-inflammatory medicines, such as corticosteroids, for a short time.
These medicines help reduce inflammation.
Microscopic Polyangiitis
Microscopic polyangiitis (POL-e-an-je-I-tis) affects
small vessels, particularly those in the kidneys and the lungs. This disease
mainly occurs in middle-aged people; it affects men slightly more often than
women.
The symptoms often aren't specific, and they can
begin gradually with fever, weight loss, and muscle aches. In some cases, the
symptoms come on suddenly and progress quickly, leading to kidney failure.
If the lungs are involved, the first symptom may be
coughing up blood. In some cases, the disease occurs along with a vasculitis
that affects the intestinal tract, the skin, and the nervous system.
The signs and symptoms of microscopic polyangiitis
are similar to those of the vasculitis condition called Wegener's
granulomatosis. However, microscopic polyangiitis usually doesn't affect the
nose and sinuses or cause abnormal tissue formations in the lungs and
kidneys.
The results of certain
blood
tests can suggest inflammation. These results include a higher than normal
erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR); lower than normal hemoglobin and
hematocrit levels (which suggest anemia); and higher than normal white blood
cell and platelet counts.
Also, more than half of the people with microscopic
polyangiitis have certain antibodies called antineutrophil cytoplasmic
autoantibodies (ANCA) in their blood. These antibodies also are seen in people
who have Wegener's granulomatosis.
Testing for ANCA can't be used to diagnose either of
these two types of vasculitis. However, testing can help evaluate people who
have vasculitis-like symptoms.
Wegener's Granulomatosis
Wegener's granulomatosis is a rare vasculitis. It affects men
and women equally, but occurs more often in Whites than in African Americans.
This type of vasculitis can occur at any age, but it is more common in
middle-aged people.
Wegener's granulomatosis typically affects the
sinuses, nose, and throat; the lungs; and the kidneys. Other organs also can be
involved.
In addition to inflamed blood vessels, the affected
tissues also develop abnormal formations called granulomas. If granulomas
develop in the lungs, they can destroy the lung tissue. The damage can be
mistaken for
pneumonia
or even lung cancer.
Symptoms of Wegener's granulomatosis often are not
specific and can begin gradually with fever, weight loss, and muscle aches.
Sometimes, the symptoms come on suddenly and progress rapidly, leading to
kidney failure. If the lungs are involved, the first symptom may be coughing up
blood.
The results of certain blood tests can suggest
inflammation. These results include a higher than normal ESR; lower than normal
hemoglobin and hematocrit levels (which suggest anemia); and higher than normal
white blood cell and platelet counts.
Another test looks for antiproteinase-3 (an
antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody) in the blood. Most people who have
active Wegener's granulomatosis will have this antibody. A small portion may
have another ANCA known as antimyeloperoxidase-specific ANCA.
Having either ANCA antibody isn't enough on its own
to make a diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis. However, testing for the
antibodies can help support the diagnosis in patients who have other signs and
symptoms of the condition.
A biopsy of an affected organ is the best way for
your doctor to make a firm diagnosis. A biopsy is a procedure in which your
doctor takes a small sample of your body tissue to examine under a
microscope.
Other Names for Vasculitis
What Causes Vasculitis?
Vasculitis occurs when your immune system attacks
your own blood vessels by mistake. What causes this to happen isn't fully
known.
A recent or chronic (ongoing) infection may prompt
the attack. Your body also may attack its own blood vessels in reaction to a
medicine.
Sometimes an autoimmune disorder triggers
vasculitis. Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system makes antibodies
(proteins) that attack and damage the body's own tissues or cells. Examples of
such autoimmune disorders include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and scleroderma.
You can have these disorders for years before developing vasculitis.
Vasculitis also may be linked to certain blood
cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma.
Who Is At Risk for Vasculitis?
Vasculitis can affect people of all ages and races
and both genders. Some types of vasculitis seem to occur more often in people
who:
- Have certain medical conditions, such as chronic
hepatitis B or C infection
- Have certain autoimmune diseases, such a
lupus
- Smoke
For more information, see
"Types
of Vasculitis."
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Vasculitis?
The signs and symptoms of vasculitis vary. They
depend on the type of vasculitis you have, the organs involved, and how severe
the condition is. Some people may have few signs and symptoms. Other people may
become very sick.
Sometimes, the signs and symptoms develop gradually
over months. Other times, the signs and symptoms develop faster, over days or
weeks.
Systemic Signs and Symptoms
Systemic signs and symptoms are those that affect
you in a general, or overall, way. Common systemic signs and symptoms of
vasculitis are:
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- General aches and pains
Organ- or Body System-Specific Signs and
Symptoms
Vasculitis can affect specific organs and body
systems, causing a range of signs and symptoms.
Skin
If the condition affects your skin, you may notice a
number of skin changes. For example, you may notice purple or red spots or
bumps, clusters of small dots, splotches, bruises, or hives. Your skin also may
itch.
Joints
If the condition affects your joints, you may ache
or develop arthritis in one or more joints.
Lungs
If the condition affects your lungs, you may feel
short of breath. You may even cough up blood. The results from a
chest
x ray may show signs of
pneumonia,
even though that isn't what you have.
Gastrointestinal Tract
If the condition affects your gastrointestinal
tract, you may get ulcers in your mouth or have abdominal pain.
In severe cases, blood flow to the intestines can be
blocked. This can cause the wall of the intestines to weaken and possibly
rupture. A rupture can lead to serious problems or even death.
Sinuses, Nose, Throat, and Ears
If the condition affects your sinuses, nose, throat,
and ears, you may have sinus or chronic (ongoing) middle ear infections. Other
symptoms include ulcers in the nose and, in some cases, hearing loss.
Eyes
If vasculitis affects your eyes, you may develop
red, itchy, burning eyes. Your eyes also may become sensitive to light, and
your vision may become blurry. In rare cases, certain types of vasculitis may
cause blindness.
Brain
If vasculitis affects your brain, symptoms may
include headache, problems thinking clearly or changes in mental function, or
stroke-like symptoms, such as muscle weakness and paralysis (an inability to
move).
Nerves
If the condition affects your nerves, you may have
numbness, tingling, and weakness in various parts of your body. You also may
have a loss of feeling or strength in your hands and feet and shooting pains in
your arms and legs.
How Is Vasculitis Diagnosed?
Your doctor will diagnose vasculitis based on your
signs and symptoms, your medical history, a physical exam, and the results from
tests.
Specialists Involved
Depending on the type of vasculitis you have and
which organs are affected, your doctor may refer you to various specialists,
including:
- A rheumatologist (a joint and muscle
specialist)
- An infectious disease specialist
- A dermatologist (a skin specialist)
- A pulmonologist (a lung specialist)
- A nephrologist (a kidney specialist)
- A neurologist (a nervous system specialist)
- A cardiologist (a heart specialist)
- An ophthalmologist (an eye specialist)
- A urologist (a urinary tract and urogenital
system specialist)
Diagnostic Tests and Procedures
A number of tests are used to diagnose vasculitis.
Blood Tests
Blood
tests can show whether you have abnormal levels of certain blood cells and
antibodies in your blood. These tests may look at:
- Hemoglobin and hematocrit. A low hemoglobin or
hematocrit level suggests
anemia,
which may be a complication of vasculitis. Vasculitis can interfere with the
body's ability to make enough red blood cells.
- Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA).
These antibodies can be seen in certain types of vasculitis.
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). If the ESR
is high, it can be a nonspecific sign of inflammation in the body.
- The amount of C-reactive protein (CRP) in your
blood. A higher than normal CRP level suggests inflammation.
Biopsy
A biopsy often is the best way for your doctor to
make a firm diagnosis of vasculitis. During a biopsy, your doctor takes a small
sample of your body tissue to examine under a microscope.
To diagnose vasculitis, he or she will take a tissue
sample from a blood vessel or an affected organ.
A pathologist will examine the sample for signs of
inflammation or tissue damage. A pathologist is a doctor who specializes in
identifying diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope.
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure should be closely monitored in all
cases of vasculitis. Blood pressure can become elevated in vasculitis that
damages the kidneys.
Urinalysis
For this test, you'll provide a sample of urine for
analysis. This test identifies abnormal levels of protein or blood cells in the
urine. Abnormal levels of these substances can be a sign of vasculitis
affecting the kidneys.
EKG
An
EKG
(electrocardiogram) is a simple, painless test that records the heart's
electrical activity. You might have this test to show whether vasculitis is
affecting your heart.
Echocardiography
Echocardiography
is a painless test that uses sound waves to create pictures of your heart. The
test provides your doctor with information about the size and shape of your
heart and how well your heart's chambers and valves are working.
Chest X Ray
A
chest
x ray is a painless test that creates pictures of the structures inside
your chest, such as your heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Abnormal chest x-ray
results may show changes that suggest that vasculitis is affecting your lungs
or your large arteries (such as the aorta or the pulmonary arteries).
Lung Function Tests
Lung
function tests measure the size of your lungs, how much air you can breathe
in and out, how fast you can breathe air out, and how well your lungs deliver
oxygen to your blood.
Lung function tests can help your doctor find out
whether airflow into and out of your lungs is restricted or blocked.
Abdominal Ultrasound
An abdominal ultrasound uses sound waves to create a
picture of the organs and structures in your abdomen. If vasculitis affects
your abdominal organs, this test may show abnormalities.
Computed Tomography Scan
A computed tomography (CT) scan is a type of x ray
that creates more detailed pictures of your internal organs than standard x
rays. If you have a type of vasculitis that affects your abdominal organs or
blood vessels, this test can show abnormalities that have developed.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test uses radio
waves, magnets, and a computer to create detailed pictures of your internal
organs.
Angiography
Angiography (an-jee-OG-ra-fee) is a test that uses
dye and special x rays to show blood flow through your blood vessels. The dye
is injected into your bloodstream.
Special x-ray pictures are taken while the dye flows
through your blood vessels. The dye helps highlight the vessels on the x-ray
pictures.
Angiography is used to help find out whether your
blood vessels are narrowed, swollen, deformed, or blocked as a result of
inflammation.
How Is Vasculitis Treated?
Treatment for vasculitis will depend on the type of
vasculitis you have, which organs are affected, and how severe the condition
is.
People who have severe vasculitis are treated with
prescription medicines. Rarely, surgery may be done. People who have mild
vasculitis may find relief with over-the-counter pain medicines, such as
acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.
Goals of Treatment
The main goal of vasculitis treatment is to reduce
inflammation in the affected blood vessels. This usually is done by reducing or
stopping the immune response that caused the inflammation.
Types of Treatment
Common prescription medicines used to treat
vasculitis include corticosteroid and cytotoxic medicines.
Corticosteroids help reduce inflammation in your
blood vessels. Examples of corticosteroids are prednisone, prednisolone, and
methylprednisolone.
Cytotoxic medicines may be prescribed if vasculitis
is severe or if corticosteroids don't work well. Cytotoxic medicines kill the
cells that are causing the inflammation. Examples of these medicines are
azathioprine, methotrexate, and cyclophosphamide.
Your doctor may prescribe both corticosteroids and
cytotoxic medicines.
Other treatments may be used for certain types of
vasculitis. For example, the standard treatment for Kawasaki disease is
high-dose aspirin and immune globulin. Immune globulin is a medicine given
intravenously (injected into a vein).
Certain types of vasculitis may require surgery to
remove aneurysms
that have formed as a result of the condition. (An aneurysm is an abnormal
bulge in the wall of a blood vessel.)
How Can Vasculitis Be Prevented?
You can't prevent vasculitis. However, treatment can
help prevent or delay the complications of vasculitis.
For more information about vasculitis treatments,
see
"How
Is Vasculitis Treated?"
Living With Vasculitis
The outcome of vasculitis is hard to predict. It
will depend on the type of vasculitis you have, which organs are affected, and
how severe the condition is.
If vasculitis is diagnosed early and responds well
to treatment, it may go away or go into remission. "Remission" means the
condition isn't active, but it can come back, or "flare," at any time.
Flares can be hard to predict. You may have a flare
when you stop treatment or change your treatment. Some types of vasculitis seem
to flare more often than others. Also, some people have flares more often than
others.
Some cases of vasculitis are chronic (ongoing) and
never go into remission. Long-term treatment with medicines often can control
chronic cases, but there are no cures. Rarely, vasculitis doesn't respond well
to treatment. This can lead to disability or even death.
Ongoing Care
The medicines used to treat vasculitis can have side
effects. For example, long-term use of corticosteroids may lead to weight gain,
diabetes, weakness, a decrease in muscle size, and osteoporosis (a
bone-thinning condition). Long-term use of these medicines also may increase
your risk for infection.
Your doctor may adjust the type or dose of medicine
you take to lessen or prevent the side effects. If your vasculitis goes into
remission, your doctor may carefully withdraw your medicines. However, he or
she will still need to carefully watch you for flares.
While you're being treated for vasculitis, you'll
need to see your doctor regularly. Talk to your doctor about any new symptoms
and other changes in your health, including side effects of your medicines.
Emotional Issues and Support
Living with a chronic condition may cause fear,
anxiety, depression, and stress. It's important to talk about how you feel with
your health care team. Talking to a professional counselor also can help. If
you're feeling very depressed, your health care team or counselor may prescribe
medicines to make you feel better.
Joining a patient support group may help you adjust
to living with vasculitis. You can see how other people have coped with the
condition. Talk to your doctor about local support groups or check with an area
medical center.
Key Points
- Vasculitis is a condition that involves
inflammation in the blood vessels. Why vasculitis occurs isn't completely
known.
- Vasculitis can affect any of the body's blood
vessels. Complications depend on which blood vessels, organs, or other body
systems are affected.
- When a blood vessel is inflamed, it can narrow or
close off. This limits or prevents blood from getting through the vessel, which
can lead to serious complications.
- There are many types of vasculitis, but overall
the condition is rare. If you have vasculitis, the outlook depends on the type
you have, which organs are affected, how quickly the condition worsens, and how
severe the condition is.
- Vasculitis can affect people of all ages and
races and both genders. Some types of vasculitis are more likely to affect
certain groups than others.
- The signs and symptoms of vasculitis vary in type
and severity. Signs and symptoms may be specific and affect a particular organ,
or they may cause general aches, pains, and fatigue (tiredness).
- Your doctor will diagnose vasculitis based on
your signs and symptoms, your medical history, a physical exam, and the results
from various tests.
- Treatment for vasculitis will depend on the type
of vasculitis you have, which organs are affected, and how severe the condition
is. People who have severe vasculitis are treated with prescription medicines.
Rarely, surgery may be needed. People who have mild vasculitis may find relief
with over-the-counter pain medicines.
- You can't prevent vasculitis. However, treatment
can help prevent or delay complications of the condition.
- If vasculitis is diagnosed early and responds
well to treatment, the condition may go into remission. "Remission" means the
condition isn't active, but it can come back, or "flare," at any time.
- Some cases of vasculitis are chronic (ongoing)
and never go into remission. Long-term treatment with medicines often can
control chronic cases, but there are no cures.
- While you're being treated for vasculitis, you'll
need to see your doctor regularly. Talk to your doctor about any new symptoms
and other changes in your health, including side effects of your
medicines.
Links to Other Information About Vasculitis
NHLBI Resources
Non-NHLBI Resources
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