Vascular system is made up of a network of blood vessels, which includes veins, arteries and capillaries. The inflammation of blood vessels which may occur in any part of the body is called Vasculitis. Vasculitis causes changes in the walls of blood vessels, such as thickening, weakening, narrowing and scarring. In the vessel wall, white blood cells infiltrate leading to damage of the surrounding tissue and obstruction of the vessel itself. Due to obstruction of vessel the blood supply to vital tissues are impaired, which leads to a potentially damaging effect on the organ which is being supplied. The severity of the illness generally depends on the site, size and extent of vessel involvement.
What are the causes of Vasculitis?
The cause for many types of vasculitis is not known. In some cases, the immune system recognizes the body’s own blood vessels as foreign particles and produces immune responses to the stimuli, which cause damage to the blood vessels leading to leak and swelling.
An allergic reaction to a medication, such as an antibiotic or diuretic, may also cause vasculitis. Cryoglobulinemia is caused by infection of Hepatitis C virus, and the Hepatitis B virus causes some cases of polyarteritis nodosa.
Vasculitis can also occur as the result of complications of the immune system, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and Sjogren’s syndrome.
What are the symptoms of Vasculitis?
Early symptoms of Vasculitis are weight loss, fever, skin lesions, muscle pain, joint pains, mouth ulcers and genital ulcers.
General symptoms of vasculitis include fever, body pain, arthritis pain, weight loss, and weakness. The patient develops petechiae, which is a hard, purple blotch on the skin. Blackened areas of gangrene appear in the areas of skin where the skin is completely deprived of blood flow. Vasculitis developed due to drug reaction has symptoms of fever, joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes.
Depending on the severity of the inflammation and the organ system or blood vessels affected symptoms of vasculitis develop.
Symptoms of Vasculitis
Small veins Purpura : Large purple circles on the skin. Henoch-Schonlein Syndrome.
Deep layers Deep, painful red lumps on the arms and legs. Erythema nodosum.
Medium-sized arteries. Kidney failure, heart complications, gastrointestinal problems and high blood pressure.
Polyarteritis nodosa : Inflammation of arteries in the brain and head. Severe headaches, blindness, and stroke Temporal (giant cell) arteritis.
Inflammation of the large arteries around the heart. Fever and night sweats, heart attack.
Blood vessels of respiratory tract, coughing, shortness of breath, nose bleeds, and ear infections Wegener’s granulomatosis.
What are the complications of Vasculitis?
Most cases of vasculitis can be treated by giving proper medication, however, some cases of vasculitis are severe and involve major organ systems. In these cases, damage to the organs may occur before treatment has time to work, or the condition may be so severe as to resist treatment. These cases can result in major organ damage or death.
Even when treatment for vasculitis is initially successful, the condition may recur later and require further treatment. Giant cell arteritis, Wegener’s granulomatosis and Takayasu’s arteritis all are types of vasculitis that often recur after initial remission.
How can we diagnose Vasculitis?
Blood Tests: Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR),
C-reactive protein (CRP), Red blood cells, White blood cells and Platelet count.
Antibody detection tests: Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies (ANCA), Rheumatoid factor (RF), Anti-Nuclear antibody (ANA).
Imaging studies : Ultrasound, Computerized Tomography (CT), Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Angiogram.
Biopsy : Pathological examination of inflammation under microscopy.
Urine analysis : To detect abnormalities in urine such as red blood cells increased amount of protein in urine.
How can Vasculitis be treated?
Treatment options for vasculitis depend upon the type and severity of Vasculitis.
1. Corticosteroids : Using corticosteroid drugs like prednisone or methylprednisolone.
2. Cytotoxic drugs : Cytotoxic drugs suppress the inflammation of blood vessels and are used in severe cases of vasculitis which does not respond to corticosteroid treatment. Azathioprine and cyclophosphamide are mostly used cytotoxic drugs.
3. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) : NSAIDs do not offer complete relief and is not recommended for long term usage. Aspirin and ibuprofen are NSAIDs which are used to treat mild symptoms of vasculitis.
What are the side effects of Chemotherapy?
Side effects may occur due to medication taken to treat Vasculitis. Side effects which mostly occur with chemotherapy are Wasting bones, high blood pressure and diabetes.
How to overcome side effects of your Medication?
Understanding your condition : Understand the disease conditions and symptoms of Vasculitis and its treatment. Know the possible side effects of chemotherapy and report any changes in your health to your doctor.
Eat a Healthy Diet : Eating a healthy diet can help prevent potential problems that can result from your medications. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean meats and fish. Curtail the usage of salt, sugar and alcohol.
Supplement your diet with Calcium and Vitamin D. Sources of Calcium in your diet can be had from Natural source like, milk, yogurt, Swiss cheddar and ricotta cheeses, canned salmon, orange juice or supplement source of Calcium phosphate and Calcium citrate.
Exercise regularly : Regular aerobic exercise, such as walking or jogging, can help prevent bone loss, high blood pressure and diabetes. It also benefits your heart and lungs.
