What is vasculitis and what are the symptoms

Vasculitis is a disease caused by inflammation of blood vessels that may affect multiple systems in the body, with symptoms varying depending on the type and location of the affected blood vessels. Common symptoms include fever, weight loss, fatigue, and pain and swelling in specific areas. If unexplained systemic symptoms occur or vasculitis is suspected, seek medical attention immediately for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

Vasculitis can be caused by a variety of factors, such as genetic predisposition, environmental factors (such as infection), and autoimmune reactions. When vasculitis affects small blood vessels, it may cause skin problems such as petechiae and ecchymoses, while involvement of medium-sized blood vessels may cause limb ulcers or pain in the hands and feet. The pathogenesis of vasculitis includes abnormalities in the immune system, which may mistake blood vessels for foreign enemies and attack them, resulting in local inflammation of the blood vessel walls. In more serious cases, such as involvement of the gastrointestinal tract or nervous system, severe symptoms in those areas may occur, such as abdominal pain or nerve dysfunction.

Vasculitis can be caused by a variety of factors, such as genetic predisposition, environmental factors (such as infection), and autoimmune reactions. When vasculitis affects small blood vessels, it may cause skin problems such as petechiae and ecchymoses, while involvement of medium-sized blood vessels may cause limb ulcers or pain in the hands and feet. The pathogenesis of vasculitis includes abnormalities in the immune system, which may mistake blood vessels for foreign enemies and attack them, resulting in local inflammation of the blood vessel walls. In more serious cases, such as involvement of the gastrointestinal tract or nervous system, severe symptoms in those areas may occur, such as abdominal pain or nerve dysfunction.

Managing vasculitis requires an individualized treatment strategy that is tailored to the severity and specific features of the condition. Common treatments include medications, such as corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, immunosuppressants such as methotrexate or cyclophosphamide to suppress the immune response, and biologics such as tocilizumab for specific types of vasculitis. During recovery, it is also important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a moderate, low-salt diet, adequate exercise, and avoidance of stressors to help manage the condition. If symptoms of vasculitis are suspected, seek medical attention immediately for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.