What is Vasculitis? Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment

Vasculitis is inflammation of your blood vessels that can affect arteries, veins, and capillaries throughout your body. When these vital pathways become inflamed, they can narrow, weaken, or even close completely, disrupting normal blood flow to your organs and tissues.

This condition isn't just one disease but rather a group of related disorders that can range from mild skin rashes to serious organ complications. While the word "vasculitis" might sound intimidating, understanding what's happening in your body can help you work effectively with your healthcare team to manage symptoms and protect your long-term health.

What are the symptoms of vasculitis?

Vasculitis symptoms vary widely depending on which blood vessels are affected and how severely they're inflamed. Many people first notice general signs like fatigue, fever, or unexplained weight loss that can feel similar to having the flu.

Since vasculitis can affect blood vessels anywhere in your body, you might experience different combinations of symptoms. Here are the most common signs your body might show:

• Persistent fatigue that doesn't improve with rest
• Low-grade fever that comes and goes
• Unexplained weight loss over several weeks
• Muscle and joint aches similar to arthritis
• Skin changes like rashes, purple spots, or sores
• Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
• Headaches that feel different from your usual ones
• Shortness of breath during normal activities

More specific symptoms depend on which organs are affected. If vasculitis involves your kidneys, you might notice changes in urination or swelling in your legs. When it affects your lungs, breathing problems or persistent cough may develop.

Some people experience rare but serious symptoms that need immediate attention. These include sudden vision changes, severe abdominal pain, chest pain, or signs of stroke like facial drooping or difficulty speaking. While these complications are uncommon, they highlight why working closely with your doctor is so important.

What are the types of vasculitis?

Vasculitis comes in several different forms, each affecting specific sizes of blood vessels in characteristic ways. Doctors classify these types based on whether they involve large, medium, or small blood vessels.

Large vessel vasculitis affects your body's major arteries. Giant cell arteritis typically involves arteries in your head and neck, often causing severe headaches and jaw pain when chewing. Takayasu arteritis usually affects younger women and involves the aorta and its main branches, sometimes causing arm weakness or blood pressure differences between arms.

Medium vessel vasculitis includes conditions like polyarteritis nodosa, which can affect multiple organs including kidneys, nerves, and skin. Kawasaki disease, though more common in children, affects medium-sized arteries and can involve the heart.

Small vessel vasculitis encompasses several conditions that affect tiny blood vessels throughout your body. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis often involves lungs, kidneys, and sinuses. Microscopic polyangiitis primarily affects kidneys and lungs, while eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis typically includes asthma-like symptoms.

Some types are considered rare but important to recognize. Behçet's disease causes recurring mouth and genital sores along with eye inflammation. Hypersensitivity vasculitis usually appears as skin rashes triggered by medications or infections.

What causes vasculitis?

The exact cause of most vasculitis types remains unclear, but doctors believe it happens when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own blood vessels. This autoimmune reaction causes the inflammation that characterizes all forms of vasculitis.

Several factors can trigger this immune system confusion. Infections sometimes act as the initial spark, with viruses like hepatitis B or C, bacteria, or other germs potentially setting off the inflammatory process. Your body's attempt to fight these infections may accidentally target blood vessel walls too.

Medications can occasionally trigger vasculitis in sensitive individuals. Certain antibiotics, blood thinners, or other drugs might cause your immune system to react against blood vessels. This type usually improves once the triggering medication is stopped.

Genetic factors play a role in some people's susceptibility to vasculitis. While you don't inherit vasculitis directly, certain genetic markers make some individuals more prone to developing autoimmune conditions when exposed to environmental triggers.

In many cases, vasculitis appears to develop from a complex interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Sometimes multiple triggers combine over time, making it difficult to pinpoint one specific cause for an individual person's condition.

When to see a doctor for vasculitis?

You should contact your doctor if you experience persistent symptoms that don't improve with rest or over-the-counter treatments. While many vasculitis symptoms can seem like common illnesses initially, their persistence or combination should prompt medical evaluation.

Pay attention to warning signs that suggest something more serious than a typical viral illness. Unexplained fever lasting more than a few days, persistent fatigue that interferes with daily activities, or new skin rashes that don't respond to basic care warrant medical attention.

Seek immediate medical care if you develop sudden, severe symptoms. Vision changes, severe headaches unlike any you've had before, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or signs of stroke require emergency evaluation. These symptoms could indicate vasculitis affecting critical organs.

Don't delay seeking help if you notice symptoms affecting multiple body systems simultaneously. Vasculitis often causes seemingly unrelated problems in different parts of your body, and recognizing these patterns early can lead to more effective treatment.

What are the risk factors for vasculitis?

Age plays a significant role in vasculitis risk, though different types affect people at different life stages. Giant cell arteritis almost exclusively affects people over 50, while Kawasaki disease primarily occurs in young children under 5 years old.

Your sex can influence vasculitis risk in some types. Takayasu arteritis affects women about nine times more often than men, typically during their teens and twenties. However, other forms like polyarteritis nodosa affect men and women more equally.

Having certain autoimmune conditions may increase your vasculitis risk. People with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or inflammatory bowel disease have higher chances of developing secondary vasculitis. These conditions share similar immune system dysfunction patterns.

Genetic background contributes to risk in complex ways. Certain ethnic groups show higher rates of specific vasculitis types, and having family members with autoimmune diseases may slightly increase your risk, though vasculitis rarely runs directly in families.

Environmental factors and infections can act as triggers in susceptible individuals. Chronic hepatitis B or C infections, certain bacterial infections, or exposure to specific medications may precipitate vasculitis in people with genetic predisposition.

What are the possible complications of vasculitis?

Vasculitis complications depend on which blood vessels are affected and how severely inflammation damages them. When blood flow to organs becomes restricted, those organs may not function properly or could suffer permanent damage.

Understanding potential complications helps you recognize when symptoms need immediate attention. Here are the most concerning complications that can develop:

• Kidney damage leading to chronic kidney disease or failure
• Heart problems including heart attacks or heart failure
• Lung scarring causing breathing difficulties
• Nerve damage resulting in numbness or weakness
• Vision loss from eye blood vessel involvement
• Stroke from brain blood vessel inflammation
• Skin ulcers that heal slowly or become infected

Some complications develop gradually over months or years, while others can appear suddenly. Kidney involvement often progresses silently, which is why regular monitoring through blood and urine tests is so important during treatment.

Rare but serious complications can affect any organ system. These might include intestinal bleeding, heart valve damage, or severe neurological problems. While these outcomes are uncommon with proper treatment, they underscore the importance of working closely with your healthcare team.

The good news is that many complications can be prevented or minimized with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Regular monitoring allows your doctor to detect problems before they become severe and adjust your treatment accordingly.

How is vasculitis diagnosed?

Diagnosing vasculitis requires careful detective work since symptoms often mimic other conditions. Your doctor will start with a detailed discussion about your symptoms, medical history, and physical examination to look for patterns suggesting vasculitis.

Blood tests provide crucial information about inflammation in your body. Tests like erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) measure general inflammation levels, while specific antibody tests can identify particular types of vasculitis.

Imaging studies help visualize your blood vessels and detect areas of inflammation or damage. CT scans, MRI, or specialized angiography can show vessel narrowing, blockages, or other abnormalities that suggest vasculitis.

Sometimes your doctor may recommend a biopsy, where a small tissue sample is examined under a microscope. This might involve skin, kidney, or other affected organs and can provide definitive evidence of blood vessel inflammation.

The diagnostic process can take time since your doctor needs to rule out other conditions and determine the specific type of vasculitis you have. This thoroughness ensures you receive the most appropriate treatment for your particular situation.

What is the treatment for vasculitis?

Vasculitis treatment aims to reduce inflammation, prevent organ damage, and help you maintain the best possible quality of life. Most treatment plans involve medications that calm down your overactive immune system.

Corticosteroids like prednisone are often the first line of treatment because they quickly reduce inflammation. Your doctor will typically start with higher doses to control active inflammation, then gradually reduce the amount as your symptoms improve.

Immunosuppressive medications may be added to help control inflammation while allowing your doctor to reduce steroid doses. These might include methotrexate, azathioprine, or newer biologic medications that target specific parts of your immune system.

Your treatment plan will be tailored to your specific type of vasculitis and how severely it affects your organs. Some people need intensive treatment initially, while others may manage well with milder approaches.

Regular monitoring is essential during treatment to check how well medications are working and watch for side effects. Your doctor will adjust your treatment based on your response and any changes in your condition over time.

How to manage vasculitis at home?

Managing vasculitis at home involves supporting your overall health while working with your medical treatment. Good self-care can help you feel better and may improve how well your treatment works.

Prioritize rest and stress management since both physical and emotional stress can potentially trigger flares. Getting adequate sleep, practicing relaxation techniques, and pacing your activities can help your body cope better with treatment.

Maintain a healthy diet rich in nutrients that support your immune system and bone health. This is especially important if you're taking corticosteroids, which can affect bone density and blood sugar levels.

Stay active within your limits through gentle exercise like walking or swimming. Regular movement helps maintain muscle strength, bone health, and mood, but listen to your body and rest when needed.

Keep track of your symptoms in a journal or smartphone app. This information helps your doctor understand how your treatment is working and when adjustments might be needed.

How should you prepare for your doctor appointment?

Preparing for your vasculitis appointment helps ensure you get the most from your time with your healthcare team. Come ready to discuss your symptoms in detail and ask important questions about your care.

Write down all your symptoms, including when they started, how often they occur, and what makes them better or worse. Include seemingly unrelated symptoms since vasculitis can affect multiple body systems in unexpected ways.

Bring a complete list of all medications, supplements, and vitamins you're taking. Include over-the-counter items and herbal supplements, as these can sometimes interact with vasculitis treatments.

Prepare questions about your specific type of vasculitis, treatment options, potential side effects, and what to expect going forward. Don't hesitate to ask about anything that concerns you or seems unclear.

Consider bringing a trusted family member or friend to important appointments. They can help you remember information discussed and provide emotional support during what might feel like overwhelming conversations.

What's the key takeaway about vasculitis?

Vasculitis is a manageable condition when properly diagnosed and treated, even though it requires ongoing medical care. While the diagnosis might feel overwhelming initially, many people with vasculitis live full, active lives with appropriate treatment.

Early diagnosis and treatment significantly improve outcomes and help prevent serious complications. Working closely with your healthcare team and following your treatment plan gives you the best chance of controlling inflammation and protecting your organs.

Remember that vasculitis affects everyone differently, so your experience may not match what others describe. Focus on your own symptoms and response to treatment rather than comparing yourself to others with the same condition.

Stay hopeful and engaged in your care. Medical understanding and treatment options for vasculitis continue to improve, offering better prospects for people newly diagnosed with these conditions.