التهاب الأوعية الدموية (Vasculitis)

VasculitisVasculitis) 

 

(Diseases) 

On this page, you will find everything you need to know about Vasculitis. 

 

What is Vasculitis? 

Vasculitis is a term that refers to a group of rare diseases characterized by inflammation of the blood vessel walls, including arteries, veins, and capillaries. This inflammation occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the blood vessels, and it may be triggered by an infection, certain medications, autoimmune diseases, or occur without a known cause (primary vasculitis). 

 

• Inflammation may lead to narrowing or blockage of the vessels, reducing blood flow to tissues and organs. The severity of the condition ranges from mildcases that affect only the skin to severe cases that damage vital organs such as the heart or kidneys, and may even be life-threatening. 

• What are theTypes of Vasculitis? 

• There are many types of vasculitis. Each type affects different parts of the body and can lead to various symptoms. Below are some examples: 

• Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss Syndrome): A rare form of vasculitis: that mainly affects adults between 38 and 54 years of age. 

• Temporal Arteritis (Giant Cell Arteritis): A type of vasculitis that causes inflammation in: the arteries, especially those on the sides of the head (temporal regions). 

 

Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (Wegener’s Granulomatosis): A rare type of vasculitis that affects small and medium-sized vessels, commonly impacting the upper and lower respiratory tract (e.g., nose, sinuses, and lungs) and the kidneys. 

Kawasaki Disease: A condition that primarily affects children under five years of age. 

  

Takayasu Arteritis: A type of vasculitis that primarily affects young women and targets the main artery from the heart (aorta) and its major branches. 

• What are the Symptoms of Vasculitis? 

• Symptoms of vasculitis vary depending on the type, and size of affected vessels, the involved organs, and disease severity. They may develop gradually over months or appear suddenly over days or weeks. Some individuals may experience mild symptoms, while others may suffer from serious health problems. 

• Common symptoms that may occur regardless of the type include: 

• Fatigue. 

• Fever. 

  

General body aches, especially in muscles and joints. 

• Loss ofappetite. 

• Weightloss. 

• Symptoms may also vary byaffected organ or system: 

• Skin: Rashes, red or purple spotsor bruises, itching, or skin ulcers. 

• Lungs: Shortness of breath, coughing (possiblywith blood in severe cases). 

• Digestive system: Mouth ulcers, abdominal pain, or in severe cases, reducedblood flow to the intestines leading to weakness or bowel perforation. 

• Eyes: Redness, itching, sensitivity to light,blurred vision, and potentially vision loss. 

  

Sinuses, nose, ears, throat: Recurrent infections, nosebleeds, nasal ulcers, and sometimes hearing loss. 

 

Brain: Headaches, difficulty concentrating, changes in mental function, or stroke-like symptoms such as muscle weakness or paralysis. 

Nerves: Numbness, tingling, localized weakness, sudden pain, or loss of sensation in the hands and feet. 

In severe cases, inflammation may cause vessel narrowing or aneurysms, increasing the risk of rupture. 

 

What CausesVasculitisVasculitis? 

In most cases, the exact cause of vasculitis remains unknown. However, scientists believe that a malfunction in the immune system plays a key role—mistakenly attacking blood vessels as if they were foreign bodies. This immune response may be triggered by infections, certain medications, or underlying diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. 

  

Other risk factors include age, gender, genetics, and environmental influences. 

• How isVasculitis Diagnosed? 

• Diagnosing vasculitis can be challenging, as its symptoms often mimic those of other diseases. Diagnosis typically depends on a combination of clinical signs and symptoms,medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging studies. In some cases, consultation with specialists (e.g., cardiologists, dermatologists, infectious disease specialists, nephrologists) may be necessary. 

• Diagnostic tests andprocedures include: 

• Blood tests: evaluate blood cell levels andCT scan):detect antibodies that may indicate inflammation. 

• Biopsy: a key diagnostic method involving tissue sampling from a vessel or affectedorgan to look for signs of inflammation or tissue damage under a microscope. 

• Chest X-ray: to detect vasculitis-related changes in theMRI):lungs or large vessels like the aorta. 

• CT scan: helps identify signs ofCT coronary angiography)vasculitis, such as granulomatosis with polyangiitis. 

• Ultrasound imaging: detects narrowing orPathergy test):damage in vessels or organs. 

• MRI: used to detect inflammationin blood vessels or organs. 

• CT coronary angiography: visualizes blood vessels for damage, inflammation, or blockage. 

  

Pathergy test: used to detect Behet’s disease by pricking the skin or injecting a small saline solution, followed by observation for swelling or ulceration after 48 hours. 

 

Pulmonary function tests:Vasculitisassess lung involvement. 

Urine analysis: detects kidney damage. 

  

The selection of tests depends on the patient’s symptoms and suspected complications. A combination of tests may be required for accurate diagnosis. 

• How isVasculitis Treated? 

• The primary goal of treatment is to reduce blood vessel inflammation caused by the immune response. Treatment depends onNSAIDs):the severity of the disease and the nature of the affected vessels and may include medications and medical procedures. 

• Medicationsinclude: 

• Over-the-counter pain relievers: such as acetaminophenor ibuprofen, for mild symptoms. 

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): help relieve pain and inflammation but may causeside effects like bleeding; liver and blood function should be monitored. 

• Corticosteroids: reduce immune system activity; often used for long-term treatment (months to years). Side effectsIVIG):may include reduced bone density, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and skin thinning. 

 

Immunosuppressants: such as cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, or azathioprine, to reduce inflammation. 

• Biologic agents: such as rituximab or tocilizumab, target specificparts of the immune system to control inflammation. 

• Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG): contains purified antibodies fromhealthy donors to help regulate immune response. 

Medical procedures include: 

Plasma exchange (plasmapheresis): removes blood plasma and replaces it with donor plasma or saline to lower antibody levels. 

 

Surgery: In severe cases (e.g., Buerger’s disease), vascular surgery may beVasculitisneeded to restore blood flow, though surgery is rarely required. 

Monitoring: 

  

Because treatment can be long-term, it is important to work with the healthcare provider to manage side effects, such as increasing infection resistance through vaccinations (e.g., flu, pneumonia, shingles). 

Can Vasculitis Be Prevented? 

• Most types of vasculitis cannot be prevented, especially those linked to autoimmune disorders. However, some forms may be preventable, or their recurrence minimized depending on the cause. Here are some preventive measures: 

• Medications: 

Anticoagulants may be prescribed to prevent blood clots, especially when vessel dilation is present. 

• Beta-blockers for lowering blood pressure in cases of vessel dilation. 

• Statins to manage high cholesterol and provide anti-inflammatory benefits. 

• Lifestyle changes: 

 Maintaining a heart- healthy lifestyle by following a nutritious diet and engaging in regular physical exercise. 

• Avoiding illicit drugs like cocaine. 

 

 

Quitting smoking and tobacco use, increase theVasculitisrisk of cardiovascular disease and vasculitis. 

Avoiding trigger medications: 

• If vasculitis was caused by a specific drug, recurrence canoften be avoided by not taking that medication again. 

• What are theComplications of Vasculitis? 

• If untreated or diagnosed late, vasculitis can lead to serious complications.These vary depending on the type and severity of the disease: 

• Cardiac issues: Inflammation of coronary arteries mayaffect blood flow to the heart. 

• Organ damage: May occur inthe kidneys, lungs, or liver. 

  

Aneurysms: Weakening and bulging of blood vessels, which may rupture and cause bleeding. 

 

Vision problems: Due to inflammation of eye-related blood vessels. 

Nerve damage: Such as numbness or weakness in limbs due to affected blood vessels supplying nerves. 

 

These complications require immediate treatment and ongoing monitoring to preserve organ function and reduce risk. 

 

When Should You See a Doctor?

Seek medical attention if you experience unexplained fever, weight loss, fatigue, or general malaise, especially if accompanied by symptoms such as rash, muscle weakness, breathing difficulties, chest pain, or other symptoms mentioned above. These signs may indicate vasculitis or another serious medical condition that requires urgent evaluation. 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is vasculitis hereditary?