Autoimmune vasculitis
Autoimmune Vasculitis Autoimmune vasculitis is a group of disorders characterized by inflammation of blood vessels due to an autoimmune response. This condition can affect various organs and tissues, leading to a wide range of symptoms and complications.
Overview[edit | edit source]
Autoimmune vasculitis occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own blood vessels, causing inflammation and damage. This can lead to narrowing or blockage of the vessels, reducing blood flow to vital organs and tissues.
Types of Autoimmune Vasculitis[edit | edit source]
There are several types of autoimmune vasculitis, each affecting different sizes and types of blood vessels:
- [[Giant cell arteritis]]: Affects large arteries, often the temporal arteries in the head.
- [[Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)]]: Affects small to medium-sized vessels, often in the respiratory tract and kidneys.
- [[Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA)]]: Affects small vessels, commonly in the kidneys and lungs.
- [[Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA)]]: Affects small to medium-sized vessels, associated with asthma and eosinophilia.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
Symptoms of autoimmune vasculitis vary depending on the type and organs involved, but common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Muscle and joint pain
- Skin rashes
- Neurological symptoms
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosing autoimmune vasculitis involves a combination of clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, and imaging studies. Common diagnostic tools include:
- Blood tests for inflammatory markers and specific antibodies
- Urinalysis to check for kidney involvement
- Imaging studies such as CT or MRI scans
- Biopsy of affected tissue
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment of autoimmune vasculitis aims to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. Common treatments include:
- Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
- Immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclophosphamide or methotrexate
- Biologic agents targeting specific immune pathways
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis for autoimmune vasculitis varies depending on the type and severity of the disease. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving outcomes and preventing organ damage.
See Also[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
- [Vasculitis Foundation](https://www.vasculitisfoundation.org/)
- National Organization for Rare Disorders
NIH genetic and rare disease info[edit source]
Autoimmune vasculitis is a rare disease.
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
