Vasculitis refers to a group of disorders characterized by inflammation of blood vessels. Many types are tự miễn dịch, though some are triggered by infections, medications, or other conditions. While some types are extremely uncommon, overall prevalence varies depending on the specific subtype. In this article, you will learn about its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. Also, we will answer some of the most common questions about this condition.
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What Is Vasculitis?
Synonyms: Angiitis and arteritis
Vasculitis is not a single disease. It is a group of disorders that involve swelling and irritation of blood vessels. When the blood vessels are inflamed and narrowed, they cannot supply enough blood to the organs and tissues. As a result, these organs and tissues can become damaged.
Vasculitis can affect the following types of blood vessels in the body:
- Arteries (Arteries deliver oxygen-rich blood to different organs and tissues)
- Veins (Veins take oxygen-poor blood to the heart)
- Capillaries (Tiny vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to cells in the body)
While many types of vasculitis exist, most are rare. Depending on the type of blood vessel affected, this condition may affect one or several organs.
What Causes Vasculitis?
Researchers have yet to determine the exact cause of vasculitis. Your genes might be responsible for some types, while others might result from your immune system mistakenly attacking the blood vessels.
Several factors may be responsible for such immune reactions:
- Infections (Viêm gan B Và viêm gan C)
- Blood cancers
- Immune disorders like viêm khớp dạng thấp, lupus, and scleroderma
- Reactions to certain drugs, including quinolones, clarithromycin, furosemide, NSAIDs, and TNF-α inhibitors
Các yếu tố rủi ro
Anyone can get this condition. However, some factors may increase the risk, such as:
- Tuổi: Giant cell arteritis typically affects people older than 50. Kawasaki disease is most common in children below 5 years old.
- Lifestyle factors: Use of tobacco and cocaine may increase the risk of certain types of vasculitis, especially in men younger than 45.
- Infections and autoimmune conditions: Certain infections and autoimmune disorders can trigger your immune system to attack healthy blood vessels.
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Về Trợ cấp đồng thanh toánWhat Are the Symptoms of Vasculitis?
Symptoms common to most types of vasculitis are:
- Sốt
- Đau đầu
- Mệt mỏi
- Giảm cân
- Aches and pains
Symptoms specific to the part of the body affected can include:
Digestive system
- Pain after eating
- Loét
- Có máu trong phân
Ear
- Chóng mặt
- Tiếng chuông trong tai
- Sudden hearing loss
Eyes
- Itching, burning, and redness in the eyes
- Nhìn đôi
- Temporary or ongoing blindness
Hands or feet
- Numbness or weakness in hands or feet
- Swollen palms or soles
Phổi
- Hụt hơi
- Có máu trong ho
Da
- Red spots due to bleeding under the skin
- Open sores or lumps
How Is Vasculitis Diagnosed?
Diagnosis involves a medical history and physical exam.
Your healthcare provider may order tests to diagnose vasculitis or exclude other conditions with overlapping symptoms. Tests can include:
- Xét nghiệm máu: They help detect inflammatory markers and certain antibodies (proteins) in your body.
- Kiểm tra hình ảnh: Tests like X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, and PET scans can help determine the location of the affected blood vessels and organs.
- Angiography: This test helps your healthcare provider observe early inflammatory changes in your blood vessels.
- Sinh thiết: During a biopsy, a healthcare professional removes a small piece of tissue from the affected area. The tissue is further tested in a lab to look for signs of vasculitis.
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What Are the Treatments for Vasculitis?
No cure for vasculitis is currently available. However, appropriate treatments can help you enter symptom-free periods (remission). Remission can last for years or months.
Treatments help manage your symptoms and prevent damage to your blood vessels and organs. They can include:
Thuốc Corticosteroid
Prednisone, a corticosteroid, is the most commonly used medication to reduce inflammation. Corticosteroids are typically used during active disease to achieve remission.
Corticosteroids, especially when used for prolonged periods, can cause side effects, such as:
- Tăng cân
- Elevated blood sugar
- Weakened bones
Thuốc ức chế miễn dịch
These medications help prevent your immune system from attacking the blood vessels. They are used to keep you in remission for as long as possible. Examples include azathioprine, methotrexate, and mycophenolate.
Other medications that may be used based on the type of vasculitis include:
- Tocilizumab (Actemra)
- Rituximab (Rituxan)
- Colchicine (Colcrys)
Ca phẫu thuật
Surgery may be an option if you have:
- Aneurysms (balloonlike bulges in the wall of a blood vessel)
- Blocked arteries
Can You Use IVIG for Vasculitis?
Your healthcare provider may prescribe IVIG for vasculitis, but only in specific cases.
Medications such as rituximab, methotrexate, and azathioprine can lead to favorable outcomes for most patients. However, IVIG may be an option when a patient cannot take an immunosuppressant because they already have a compromised immune system. (Note: IVIG is an immunomodulatory agent, not an immunosuppressant.)
Moreover, IVIG is generally safe during pregnancy, and it might be the better option for certain pregnant women with vasculitis.
Lastly, IVIG may be used to counteract hạ gammaglobulin máu caused by rituximab.
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What to avoid if you have vasculitis?
Things to avoid if you have vasculitis:
- Processed foods
- Added sugars
- Rượu bia
- Excessive salt
- Hút thuốc
What’s the life expectancy of people with vasculitis?
There’s no single answer. Moreover, we don’t have data on the link between specific types and lifespan. Some types are mild, while some are more severe. Types that affect vital organs like the brain, lungs, or kidneys can be life-threatening, particularly during the active disease state. Treatments that suppress the immune system may increase the risk of infections. With early diagnosis and modern treatments, many people with vasculitis live normal or near-normal lifespans.
Can you recover from nerve damage caused by vasculitis?
Your chances of nerve recovery are higher if the treatment is started early. Sadly, in most cases, only partial recovery is possible.
Should you follow a specific diet for vasculitis?
It’s hard to pinpoint and recommend a particular diet for a patient without knowing their unique individual situations. In general, it’s best to follow the American Heart Association’s dietary guidelines, which include:
- Plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
- Limited intake of added sugars, alcohol, and ultra-processed foods.
