What causes vasculitis?
Often, doctors don't know what triggers vasculitis. However, it appears that, in some people, the immune system mistakes the blood vessels for foreign substances and attacks them. The immune system sends chemicals and immune cells, called antibodies, to fight the invader. These damage the blood vessels, which leak and cause swelling. In some cases,
vasculitis appears to be triggered by an allergic response to a specific substance, such as a drug.
In vasculitis, the blood vessels become inflamed, which can cause the layers of the blood vessel wall to thicken. This narrows the blood vessels, reducing the amount of blood — and therefore oxygen and vital nutrients — that reaches your body's tissues. In some cases, a blood clot may form in an affected blood vessel, obstructing blood flow. Sometimes instead of becoming narrower, a blood vessel may weaken and form a bulge (aneurysm), a potentially life-threatening condition.
For many forms of vasculitis, the cause is unknown. For some types, however, infections may be the cause. For instance, most cases of cryoglobulinemia are the result of the hepatitis C virus, and the hepatitis B virus causes some cases of polyarteritis nodosa. Vasculitis can also occur as the result of some illnesses of the immune system, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and Sjogren's syndrome. Sometimes an allergic reaction to a medication, such as an antibiotic or diuretic, may cause vasculitis.
Vasculitis can also accompany infections (such as hepatitis B), exposure to chemicals (such as amphetamines and cocaine), cancers (such as lymphomas and multiple myeloma), and rheumatic diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus). |
More information on vasculitis
What is vasculitis? - Vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels that can affect any blood vessel in any part of the body.
What causes vasculitis? - For many forms of vasculitis, the cause is unknown. For some types, however, infections may be the cause.
What're the symptoms of vasculitis? - General symptoms of vasculitis include fever, achiness, arthritis pain, appetite and weight loss, and low energy.
How is vasculitis diagnosed? - The types of vasculitis are distinguished by the type of blood vessel affected, the appearance of biopsy tissue of affected organs on light microscopy.
What's the treatment for vasculitis? - The goal of te treatment for vasculitis is to decrease the immune system's production of antibodies. |
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