Vasculitis is a disease that develops as a result of inflammation of the vessels. There are many different varieties, but most species are rare. Vasculitis can affect one organ or cause multi-organ involvement. While some vasculitides are short-lived, some can last for a long time. Vasculitides can lead to serious organ damage as they disrupt the flow of blood in the vessels. In order to prevent this damage, inflammation in the vein must be controlled.
What is Vasculitis?
Vasculitis is the development of inflammation in the vessels.
In normal conditions, inflammation (inflammation) is the injury of the body. or an immune response to conditions such as infection. Thanks to this immune response, microorganisms that are harmful to the body are combated. In vasculitis, the immune system attacks healthy blood vessels for various reasons. As a result of this situation, swelling occurs in the vessels and the lumen (inner) part of the vessel narrows. The narrowing of the vessel lumen also causes a decrease in blood flow. Decreased blood flow causes damage to tissues and organs.
Vasculitis can be a mild disorder that only affects the skin, or it can lead to a serious picture that damages vital organs. There are different types of vasculitis. Types of vasculitis; It varies in terms of the development of the disease and its effect on the body. Although the symptoms of vasculitis vary according to the vasculitis types, the symptoms seen in most vasculitis types are:
· Fever · Headache · Fatigue · Weight loss · General body pain, aches
Other body parts that may be seen according to the body parts affected by vasculitis symptoms:
· Digestive System: If the stomach and intestines are affected by the disease, the patient may feel pain after meals. Again, conditions such as ulcer formation in the digestive organs and blood in the stool (feces) can also be observed.
· Ear: Conditions such as dizziness, tinnitus and hearing impairment; It can be seen in cases where vasculitis affects the ear.
· Eye: Vasculitis in eyes; may cause symptoms such as redness, burning and itching. In some types of vasculitis; Double vision, temporary or permanent vision loss may be encountered.
· Hand and Foot Some of the types of vasculitis may cause symptoms such as numbness or weakness in the hands and feet. Swelling and stiffness in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet can also be caused by vasculitis.
· Lungs: In cases where the lung is affected by vasculitis; Symptoms such as shortness of breath and coughing up blood from the mouth may be seen. · Skin: Vasculitis may cause lesions in the form of red dots on the skin due to subcutaneous bleeding. In addition, the formation of lumps and wounds on the skin can also be observed.
What are the Types of Vasculitis?
Churg Strauss Syndrome It is a type of vasculitis that usually affects adults between the ages of 30-45. It can cause symptoms such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, fever, joint pain, weight loss.
Giant Cell (Temporal) ArteritisIt mainly affects the arteries in the head and neck region. It is mostly seen in adults over 50 years of age. It can cause symptoms such as pain in the jaw muscle, headache, double vision or vision loss while eating.
Wegener's Granulomatosis Mainly; It acts on the blood vessels in the nose, sinus cavities, ear, lung and kidney. It is more common in middle and older age groups. In this type; Symptoms and signs such as fever, night sweats, sinusitis, nosebleeds, coughing up blood may be encountered. It is a serious condition that can lead to organ failure if left untreated.
Henoch-Schönlein Purpura It is a rare type of vasculitis, although it is mostly seen in children. It goes away with skin, intestinal and kidney involvement. It may cause symptoms such as small red-purple rashes on the skin, abdominal pain and diarrhea. It is thought that the body's response to an infection, often an upper respiratory tract infection, may trigger this vasculitis.
Kawasaki Disease It is a vasculitis that usually affects under 5 years old. The typical feature of the disease is high fever lasting longer than 5 days. In addition, symptoms such as dryness of the lips, peeling of the insides of the hands and feet, skin rash, and red eyes may also be seen in children. Illness; lung, kidney It can go away with kidney and nerve involvement. It can cause symptoms such as rash on the skin, shortness of breath, kidney disorders, tingling and weakness in the limbs. It can occur in childhood or middle age. Although the conditions that cause this vasculitis have not been fully elucidated, it is thought that it may develop due to a condition such as hepatitis B infection. It can cause abdominal and joint pain, skin rash, ulcer formation in the digestive organs and bleeding symptoms.
Takayasu Arteritis It is a type of vasculitis disease that usually affects young women. It affects the main arteries that leave the heart. It can lead to symptoms such as extreme fatigue, fever, weight loss, and dizziness.
Behçet's Disease is a type of vasculitis that causes ulcer formation in the mouth and genital area. It is more common in Mediterranean and Far Eastern countries.
Buerger's Disease It affects the vessels in the arms and legs, reducing the blood flow to the hands and feet. It is closely related to smoking.
Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis This type, also known as allergic vasculitis, usually occurs due to the use of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory (NSAI) or some antibiotic drugs. Vasculitis may develop as a result of the body's allergic reaction to these drugs. In particular, it causes the formation of capillary inflammation. In this vasculitis, rashes can be seen on the skin.
Primary Vasculitis of the Central Nervous System It occurs as a result of the development of vasculitis in the brain, that is, inflammation in the vessels in the brain. This vasculitis; may have effects such as confusion, headache, and personality change.
Rheumatoid Vasculitis It is a complication of rheumatoid arthritis. May cause skin rash and loss of sensation.
What is the Diagnosis and Treatment of Vasculitis?
In the diagnosis of vasculitis, first of all, the patient's medical history and complaints at the time of applying to the doctor are evaluated. A physical examination of the patient is performed. Various tests can be used to diagnose vasculitis or to exclude other diseases that may have a similar effect to vasculitis. Methods such as blood analysis, imaging methods, angiography, biopsy; use in diagnosis it can. Which tests will be performed on which patient is decided after the doctor's preliminary evaluation.
Vasculitis treatment aims to control the inflammation in the vessels and to eliminate the causes that trigger the formation of vasculitis. Medicines used in the treatment of vasculitis are used to reduce the immune response in the body and therefore inflammation. Corticosteroid type drugs that suppress the immune system are the most commonly used drugs in the treatment of vasculitis. However, corticosteroids can have serious side effects. Therefore, patients receiving long-term corticosteroid therapy should be treated with the lowest possible dose.
In some cases, vasculitides may cause ballooning (aneurysm) in the vessel wall. In such cases, the application of surgical methods may be considered to prevent rupture of the vessel.
Surgical operation can also be performed to restore the decreased blood flow as a result of the narrowing of the vessel lumen caused by vasculitis.
Although different types of vasculitis affect different organs, especially organs such as skin, lung and kidney are structures that are frequently affected by vasculitis. Damage caused by vasculitis can lead to serious loss of function in vital organs. Therefore, vasculitis is a disease that should be taken seriously and treated with great care. If you suspect vasculitis (vascular inflammation), it will be useful to apply to the nearest health center and have the necessary tests done.
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