What
Is
Vasculitis?
Vasculitis
is an
inflammation
of the
blood
vessels
in the
body. In
vasculitis,
the
body’s
immune
system
mistakenly
attacks
the
body’s
own
blood
vessels,
causing
them to
become
inflamed.
Inflammation
can
damage
the
blood
vessels
and lead
to a
number
of
serious
complications.
Vasculitis
can
affect
any of
the
body’s
blood
vessels.
These
include
arteries,
veins,
and
capillaries.
Arteries
are
vessels
that
carry
blood
from the
heart to
the
body’s
organs,
veins
are the
vessels
that
carry
blood
back to
the
heart,
and
capillaries
are the
tiny
blood
vessels
that
connect
the
small
arteries
and
veins.
When
a blood
vessel
becomes
inflamed,
it can:
-
Narrow,
making
it
more
difficult
for
blood
to
get
through
-
Close
off
completely
so
that
blood
can’t
get
through
at
all
(occlusion)
-
In
rare
cases,
stretch
and
weaken
so
much
that
it
bulges
(aneurysm)
and
may
possibly
burst
(aneurysm
rupture)
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
artery
narrowed
due to
inflammation
in the
arterial
wall,
causing
decreased
blood
flow
(the
inset
image
shows a
cross-section
of the
inflamed
artery).
Figure C
shows a
totally
occluded
(blocked)
artery
due to
inflammation
and
scarring
in the
arterial
wall
(the
inset
image
shows a
cross-section
of the
block
artery).
Figure D
shows an
artery
containing
an
aneurysm.
The
disruption
in blood
flow
from
inflammation
can
damage
the
body’s
organs.
Specific
signs
and
symptoms
depend
on which
organ
has been
damaged
and the
extent
of the
damage.
Typical
signs
and
symptoms
of
inflammation
(fever,
swelling,
and a
general
sense of
feeling
ill) are
common
among
people
with
vasculitis.
Outlook
The
outlook
for
people
who have
vasculitis
varies
depending
on both
the type
and
severity
of the
vasculitis.
The
course
of a
case of
vasculitis
can be
hard to
predict.
Treatment
is often
very
effective
if
vasculitis
is
diagnosed
and
treated
early.
Vasculitis
may
disappear
or go
into a
period
of
remission.
In some
cases,
it may
be a
chronic
problem,
requiring
ongoing
treatment,
or it
may come
back
(“flare”)
after a
period
of
remission.
In more
severe
cases,
treatment
may not
help,
and
vasculitis
can lead
to
disability
or even
death.
Much
is still
unknown
about
vasculitis.
There
are many
different
types of
vasculitis,
but
overall
it is a
fairly
rare
condition
in the
general
population.
Additional
research
is
needed
to learn
more
about
the
various
types of
vasculitis
and
their
causes,
treatments,
and
remission
patterns. |
