What is vasculitis?

Vasculitis: Vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels. This could be either the veins or the arteries. A type of white blood cell sticks, for an unknown reason, to the wall of the vessel creating an inflammatory reaction. There are many types of vasculitis and many ways that researchers have categorized them over the decades. Some occur by themselves; others are associated with other diseases.

Various: Vasculitis means inflammation of blood vessels. There are many forms of vasculitis, depending on the size of the blood vessels whether large arteries, small arteries, capillaries or veins.That are inflamed. Accordingly, the disease can range from unpleasant to life threatening. The treatment also depends on what blood vessels are inflamed. Vasculitis can also be limited to certain organs.

Inflammation: Inflammation of the vascular system.

Inflammation: Vasculitis is a general term for a group of uncommon diseases that feature inflammation of the blood vessels. Treatment is directed toward decreasing the inflammation of the blood vessels and improving the function of affected organs. The most common treatment is with steroids - like prednisone. Other medications that can reduce the body's immune reponse can also be effective.

Vessel inflammation: Vasculitis is a basket term for numerous conditions that cause inflammatory damage to vessels. Vasculitis itself is not a diagnosis, but just a finding that is seen in tissue via microscopy. The type of vasculitis is critical for how they are treated; each one of them may be treated differently. In general though, the immune system is triggered to initiate vessel damage.

Vascular Swelling: Vasculitis refers to a localized or generalized process of inflammation in the cells that make up our blood vessels. It can involve the veins (phlebitis) or the arteries (arteritis). Both are serious and can lead to clot formation which is also dangerous if the clot migrates. Since the condition can occur with another illness or by itself, it requires appropriate recognition and prompt care.

Why ask why?: Vasculitis is defined by the presence of inflammatory white blood cells in blood vessel walls with reactive damage to mural structures. This can lead to bleeding and ischemia/necrosis downstream of the vessel. Affected vessels vary in size, type, and location in association with the specific type of vasculitis. There are many different types. The exact mechanisms underlying them are unknown.

See below: Please discuss with your rheumatologist/ other physicians. There is a whole spectrum of severity and lots of causes. It is difficult to answer your question more specifically.

Type?: Depends on the type steroids and anti inflammatory medicines help.