Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAutoimmune EffectsSymptomsClassification and TypesDiagnosisTreatmentLong-Term ConsiderationsResources and Support
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Autoimmune Effects
Symptoms
Classification and Types
Diagnosis
Treatment
Long-Term Considerations
Resources and Support
Learn about vasculitis, its causes and risk factors, types, treatment options, and more.
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Autoimmune Effects of Vasculitis
Anautoimmunereaction happens when the immune system attacks healthy cells in the body. This can lead toinflammationin various organs and regions of the body, sometimes in the entire body. When the blood vessels that carry blood throughout the body—including arteries, veins, and capillaries—become inflamed, it can prevent blood flow.Since blood flow is required for the body to function properly, this can lead to various complications.
Causes and Risk Factors
Vasculitis can have many different causes, and sometimes the cause is not known.
Some possibilities include:
Some people are more likely to experience vasculitis than others, and risk factors vary for the different types of vasculitis. Some types of vasculitis are more common among women, while other types are more common among men.
Similarly, some types are more likely to happen later in life, while others, such asKawasakidisease and IgA (immunoglobulin A) vasculitis, are more likely to affect children. Healthy lifestyle choices can help to prevent vasculitis from happening.
Symptoms: How Do You Know You Have Vasculitis?
The symptoms of vasculitis vary depending on the type and the part of the body affected. There can be a rash, which may look like hives, or a spotty red or purple rash that most commonly affects the legs and lower regions of the body, but can also show up on the upper areas of the body.
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Other symptoms of vasculitis may include:
Consult a healthcare provider about these or other symptoms. The effects of vasculitis can be severe and life-threatening.
Emergency Vasculitis SymptomsEmergency symptoms of vasculitis include:Difficulty breathingInability to speakCoughing up bloodSudden double vision or vision lossSeek immediate medical attention if you or someone you know experiences these symptoms.
Emergency Vasculitis Symptoms
Emergency symptoms of vasculitis include:Difficulty breathingInability to speakCoughing up bloodSudden double vision or vision lossSeek immediate medical attention if you or someone you know experiences these symptoms.
Emergency symptoms of vasculitis include:
Seek immediate medical attention if you or someone you know experiences these symptoms.
Vasculitis Classification and Types
There are three primary classifications of vasculitis—large, medium, and small vessel vasculitis—based on the size of the blood vessels they affect. Other types of vasculitis, includingBehcet’s syndromeand relapsing polychondritis, can affect various sizes of blood vessels.
Large Vessel Vasculitis
Large vessel vasculitis includes:
Medium Vessel Vasculitis
Medium vessel vasculitis includes:
Small Vessel Vasculitis
Small vessel vasculitis includes:
Getting a Vasculitis Diagnosis
Treatment to Manage Vasculitis
The treatment of vasculitis depends on the type, symptoms, severity, and part of the body affected. If you have vasculitis, a healthcare provider may prescribemedicationsto reduce inflammation and open the blood vessels, restoring blood flow.
These medications may include over-the-counternonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs), such as Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen sodium), orprescription anti-inflammatorymedications for more severe cases. If an underlying autoimmune condition causes your vasculitis, a provider may prescribe medications to suppress the immune system to stop the autoimmune response.
Sometimes, a combination of medications is used to minimize the side effects of more powerful drugs.
One of the most significant long-term considerations for vasculitis is its impact on the body, especially if left untreated. Vital organs can be damaged, sometimes severe enough to cause organ failure when they do not receive enough blood. With treatment, the outlook for vasculitis is good, with a high survival rate and improved quality of life as treatments can decrease symptoms.
There are many resources available and options for support for anyone experiencing vasculitis. TheVasculitis Foundationis a great place to start with learning resources and opportunities to connect with support on their website, includingvirtual supportmeetings.
Additionally, there are more specific resources and support options for different types of vasculitis, with some local options available. If you or someone you know is experiencing vasculitis, talk to a healthcare provider about resources and support.
Summary
Vasculitis is a medical condition that involves restricted blood flow due to inflamed blood vessels. An autoimmune response causes some types of vasculitis. Other causes may include cancer, infections, and smoking. The symptoms vary, but people with this condition may experience a rash, fatigue, pain, and more.
There are different types, and reaching a diagnosis may be challenging or take time. Treatment can help to reduce the inflammation, open the blood vessels to restore blood flow, alleviate symptoms, and improve your quality of life.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute.Vasculitis causes and risk factors.Arthritis Foundation.Vasculitis.National Institutes of Health.Vasculitis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Symptoms of vasculitis.University of Michigan Medicine.Types of vasculitis.Saadoun D, Vautier M, Cacoub P.Medium- and large-vessel vasculitis.Circulation. 2021;143(3):267-282. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.120.046657Vasculitis Foundation.Granulomatosis with polyangiitis.Vasculitis Foundation.Microscopic polyangiitis.Watson L, Brogan P, Peart I, Landes C, Barnes N, Cleary G.Diagnosis and assessment of disease activity in Takayasu arteritis: a childhood case illustrating the challenge.Case Rep Rheumatol. 2014;2014:603171. doi:10.1155/2014/603171Guillevin L.Infections in vasculitis.Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology. 2013;27(1):19-31. doi:10.1016/j.berh.2013.01.004Vasculitis Foundation.VF virtual support meetings.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute.Vasculitis causes and risk factors.Arthritis Foundation.Vasculitis.National Institutes of Health.Vasculitis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Symptoms of vasculitis.University of Michigan Medicine.Types of vasculitis.Saadoun D, Vautier M, Cacoub P.Medium- and large-vessel vasculitis.Circulation. 2021;143(3):267-282. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.120.046657Vasculitis Foundation.Granulomatosis with polyangiitis.Vasculitis Foundation.Microscopic polyangiitis.Watson L, Brogan P, Peart I, Landes C, Barnes N, Cleary G.Diagnosis and assessment of disease activity in Takayasu arteritis: a childhood case illustrating the challenge.Case Rep Rheumatol. 2014;2014:603171. doi:10.1155/2014/603171Guillevin L.Infections in vasculitis.Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology. 2013;27(1):19-31. doi:10.1016/j.berh.2013.01.004Vasculitis Foundation.VF virtual support meetings.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute.Vasculitis causes and risk factors.Arthritis Foundation.Vasculitis.National Institutes of Health.Vasculitis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Symptoms of vasculitis.University of Michigan Medicine.Types of vasculitis.Saadoun D, Vautier M, Cacoub P.Medium- and large-vessel vasculitis.Circulation. 2021;143(3):267-282. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.120.046657Vasculitis Foundation.Granulomatosis with polyangiitis.Vasculitis Foundation.Microscopic polyangiitis.Watson L, Brogan P, Peart I, Landes C, Barnes N, Cleary G.Diagnosis and assessment of disease activity in Takayasu arteritis: a childhood case illustrating the challenge.Case Rep Rheumatol. 2014;2014:603171. doi:10.1155/2014/603171Guillevin L.Infections in vasculitis.Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology. 2013;27(1):19-31. doi:10.1016/j.berh.2013.01.004Vasculitis Foundation.VF virtual support meetings.
National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute.Vasculitis causes and risk factors.
Arthritis Foundation.Vasculitis.
National Institutes of Health.Vasculitis.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Symptoms of vasculitis.
University of Michigan Medicine.Types of vasculitis.
Saadoun D, Vautier M, Cacoub P.Medium- and large-vessel vasculitis.Circulation. 2021;143(3):267-282. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.120.046657
Vasculitis Foundation.Granulomatosis with polyangiitis.
Vasculitis Foundation.Microscopic polyangiitis.
Watson L, Brogan P, Peart I, Landes C, Barnes N, Cleary G.Diagnosis and assessment of disease activity in Takayasu arteritis: a childhood case illustrating the challenge.Case Rep Rheumatol. 2014;2014:603171. doi:10.1155/2014/603171
Guillevin L.Infections in vasculitis.Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology. 2013;27(1):19-31. doi:10.1016/j.berh.2013.01.004
Vasculitis Foundation.VF virtual support meetings.
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