Vasculitis

Also known as: angiitis, arteritis.

What is vasculitis?

Vasculitis refers to inflammation of the blood vessels. A number of different medical conditions fall under the umbrella term of vasculitis, and they can range from mild problems to life-threatening diseases.
 

What causes vasculitis?

The cause of vasculitis is not entirely clear. It is an autoimmune condition, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues and organs. Genetic factors appear to play a role in the development of vasculitis.

 

What are the symptoms of vasculitis?

Symptoms of vasculitis can range from mild to life-threatening. They might include skin rashes, sores or lumps; cough; shortness of breath; fever; weight loss and other symptoms.
 

What are vasculitis care options?

A variety of medications ranging from glucocorticoids to immune-suppressing drugs can treat vasculitis. If vasculitis causes severe blood vessel damage, surgery may be required to correct the problems.

Reviewed by: Yonit Sterba Rakovchik, MD

This page was last updated on: January 13, 2022 04:28 PM