Vasculitis

Vasculitis is the inflammation of blood vessels caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking vessel walls.

Vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels. It happens when the body's immune system attacks the blood vessel by mistake. It can occur due to an infection, a medicine, or another disease, though the cause is often unknown.

Vasculitis can affect arteries (which carry blood from the heart to the body's organs), veins (which carry blood back to the heart), and capillaries (tiny vessels connecting arteries and veins). When a blood vessel becomes inflamed, it can:

• Narrow, making it difficult for blood to pass through.
• Close off completely, blocking blood flow.
• Stretch and weaken, causing a bulge known as an aneurysm. If this bulge bursts, it can cause dangerous internal bleeding.

Symptoms of vasculitis vary but usually include fever, swelling, and a general sense of feeling ill. The primary goal of treatment is to stop the inflammation, often using steroids or other anti-inflammatory medications.