Vasculitis | Blood Inflammation Disorder

Vasculitis refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders that are characterized by inflammatory destruction of blood vessels (blood inflammation). Both arteries and veins are affected. Lymphangitis is sometimes considered a type of vasculitis.

Vasculitis is inflammation of the vessel wall, due to autoimmune disease or infection.

Vasculitis is primarily due to leukocyte migration and resultant damage.

Although both occur in vasculitis, inflammation of veins (phlebitis) or arteries (arteritis) on their own are separate entities.

Vasculitis Symptoms, Causes And Treatment

Vasculitis Signs and symptoms

Possible Vasculitis symptoms include :-

General symptoms: Fever, weight loss.
Skin: Palpable purpura, livedo reticularis.
Muscles and joints: Myalgia or myositis, arthralgia or arthritis.
Nervous system: Mononeuritis multiplex, headache, stroke, tinnitus, reduced visual acuity, acute visual loss.
Heart and arteries: Myocardial infarction, hypertension, gangrene.
Respiratory tract: Nose bleeds, bloody cough, lung infiltrates.
GI tract: Abdominal pain, bloody stool, perforations.
Kidneys: Glomerulonephritis.

Vasculitis Causes

Burns
Chemical irritants
Frostbite
Toxins
Infection by pathogens
Physical injury, blunt or penetrating
Immune reactions due to hypersensitivity
Ionizing radiation
Foreign bodies, including splinters, dirt and debris
Stress
Trauma

Vasculitis Treatment

Blood Inflammation is a process and not a disease, however it may require treatment if it continues to persist or is causing significant discomfort in the lack of any threat to tissue integrity. It is usually a short term process intended to protect the body. Once the cause of the injury has been neutralized or the integrity of the living tissue has been secured, inflammation gradually subsides. In chronic conditions, inflammation is usually persistent but low grade, with occasional acute aggravations.

Treatments are generally directed toward stopping the inflammation and suppressing the immune system. Typically, cortisone-related medications, such as prednisone, are used. Additionally, other immune suppression drugs, such as cyclophosphamide and others, are considered. In case of an infection, antimicrobial agents including cephalexin may be prescribed. Affected organs (such as the heart or lungs) may require specific medical treatment intended to improve their function during the active phase of the disease.

NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti inflammatory Drugs) These drugs, like paracetamol, usually act by inhibiting the cells from producing prostaglandins, the main chemical mediator of inflammation.

Corticosteroids ‘Steroids’ also inhibit prostaglandin formation by the cells as well as inhibiting the function of white blood cells which play an essential role in the inflammatory process.

Many steroids, to be specific glucocorticoids, reduce inflammation or swelling by binding to glucocorticoid receptors. These drugs are often referred to as corticosteroids.