Vasculitis is inflammation of the blood vessels. This inflammation can damage and narrow the blood vessels, causing a rash, a change in sensation, fatigue, or other symptoms.
Vasculitis has many possible causes, including allergic reactions and certain diseases, such as lupus.
Bleeding from the blood vessel may cause bruises or blood spots under the skin. Vasculitis can decrease blood supply to tissues or organs, causing blood clots, pain, tissue damage, and organ malfunction.
Treatment depends on the cause of the vasculitis. Some cases may be self-correcting. Treatment may include anti-inflammatory medicine.
Vasculitis can cause a wide variety of symptoms. Which ones you have will depend on what blood vessels are involved and how serious the problem is.
Some common symptoms are:
For some people, the problem is short-term. For others it is long-term, or chronic.
This problem may also go away, only to come back again later.
The main goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation in the blood vessels.
Mild cases may go away on their own. Sometimes over-the-counter pain medicine helps. For more severe cases, a doctor might prescribe medicine that reduces inflammation.
Vasculitis means inflamed blood vessels. This happens when the body's own immune system attacks the blood vessels.
Your immune system might be reacting to an infection or a medicine. Or you may have an immune disorder.
Vasculitis causes blood vessel walls to thicken, weaken, or stretch. This makes it harder for blood to flow. And that can lead to symptoms in any parts of your body that aren't getting enough blood. The blood vessels might also bleed inside your body.
There are different types of vasculitis. And different parts of the body can be affected. This includes the head, joints and muscles, the skin, and some internal organs.
©2011-2024 Healthwise, Incorporated