Vasculitis

Vasculitis refers to a collection of disorders characterized by the inflammation of blood vessels, which can affect both arteries and veins. Occasionally, lymphangitis, the inflammation of lymphatic vessels, is also classified as a form of vasculitis. This condition is mainly triggered by the migration of leukocytes, leading to damage in the blood vessels. While vasculitis involves inflammation of both veins (phlebitis) and arteries (arteritis), these inflammations can also occur independently as distinct conditions.

Signs and Symptoms

Possible indicators of vasculitis include:

• General Symptoms
  • Fever
  • Unintentional weight loss
  • Fatigue
• Skin
  • Palpable purpura
  • Livedo reticularis
• Muscles and Joints
  • Muscle pain or inflammation
  • Joint pain or swelling
• Kidneys
  • Inflammation of the kidney’s filtration units (glomeruli)
• Nervous System
  • Mononeuritis multiplex
  • Headache
  • Stroke
  • Tinnitus
  • Reduced visual acuity
  • Acute visual loss
• Heart and Arteries
  • Heart attack
  • High blood pressure
  • Gangrene
  • Heart palpitations
• Respiratory Tract
  • Nosebleeds
  • Bloody cough
  • Lung infiltrates
• Gastrointestinal Tract
  • Abdominal pain
  • Bloody stool
  • Perforations in the GI tract
• Ear and Nose
  • Sinus infections
  • Ear infections
  • Hearing loss