Vasculitis

Vasculitis is the inflammation (swelling) of the blood vessels, the network of hollow tubes that carry blood throughout the body. Vasculitis can affect very small blood vessels (capillaries), medium-size blood vessels (arterioles and venules), or large blood vessels (arteries and veins). If blood flow in a vessel with vasculitis is reduced or stopped, the parts of the body that receive blood from that vessel begin to di Vasculitis is an inflammation of blood vessels, which includes the veins, arteries, and capillaries. Depending on the type, vasculitis can affect blood vessels of any type, size, or location. Inflammation occurs with infection or is thought to be due to a faulty immune system response. Dysfunction may occur due to the inflammation itself or over time as the blood vessel walls swell, harden, thicken, and develop scar tissue. This narrows the passage through which blood can flow. As the condition progresses, it can slow or completely stop the normal flow of blood.

Sign & Symptoms of vasculitis include

· skin rashes

· fatigue (tiredness)

· weakness

· fever

· joint pains

· abdominal (stomach) pain

· kidney problems (including dark or bloody urine)

· nerve problems (including numbness, weakness, and pain)

Avasculitis syndrome may begin suddenlyor develop over time. Symptoms include:
headaches, especially a headache that doesn’t go away.
fever.
malaise (feeling out-of-sorts).
rapid weight loss.
confusion or forgetfulness leading to dementia.
aches and pains in the joints and muscles.
pain while chewing or swallowing.
paralysis or numbness, usually in the arms or legs.
visual disturbances, such as double vision, blurred vision, or blindness.
seizures, convulsions .

stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA, sometimes also called a “mini-stroke”).
unusual rashes or skin discoloration.
problems with the kidneys or other organs.