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Vasculitis is a general medical term used to describe inflammation of the blood vessels, which includes the arteries, capillaries, and veins. There are many types of vasculitis, though most are very rare.
Researchers believe that vasculitis is an autoimmune disorder, which occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your blood vessels, resulting in inflammation. However, the inflammation may also be caused by a reaction to a drug or from a chronic infection such as hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
You may also be at risk of developing vasculitis if you have other autoimmune diseases, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
Vasculitis symptoms can vary from mild to severe, and in some cases, there may be no symptoms at all. The inflammation in blood vessels can affect blood flow to various organs, including the skin, lungs, heart, and kidneys. Early detection and treatment are crucial to preventing long-term damage.
The team at Pleasanton Arthritis and Osteoporosis Medical Center performs a thorough evaluation to diagnose vasculitis. This includes reviewing your symptoms, medical history, and conducting a physical exam. Various diagnostic tests may be used, such as:
Detect inflammation and immune system activity.
Examine tissue for blood vessel damage.
Identify abnormalities in blood vessels.
Treatment for vasculitis focuses on stopping the inflammation for the prevention of further blood vessel and organ damage. The experts at Pleasanton Arthritis and Osteoporosis Medical Center develop individualized treatment plans based on the severity of your inflammation. Your treatment plan may include steroids or immune-suppressing drugs.
For severe cases of vasculitis, the team may recommend rituximab, a biologic agent that may prevent further blood vessel damage by targeting the part of your immune system, causing the inflammation. The team at Pleasanton Arthritis and Osteoporosis Medical Center gives the biologic agent intravenously as part of their in-office infusions program.
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