1. What is vasculitis?

Vasculitis refers to a group of disorders in which blood vessels become inflamed. It can affect arteries, veins, or small blood vessels and may reduce blood supply to tissues, potentially damaging the organs they supply.

2. What are the common symptoms of vasculitis?

Symptoms vary depending on the vessels and organs involved. Common features include fever, fatigue, weight loss, skin rashes, joint pain, numbness or weakness, while organ-specific symptoms may also occur.

3. Can vasculitis affect the skin?

Yes. Skin involvement may cause red or purple spots, palpable purpura, ulcers, nodules, or other rashes. Certain skin findings can provide important clues about the type and severity of vasculitis.

4. Can vasculitis affect the kidneys?

Yes. Some types of vasculitis can cause inflammation of the kidneys, sometimes without obvious early symptoms. Urine examination, kidney function tests, and blood-pressure monitoring are therefore important in suspected systemic vasculitis.

5. Can vasculitis affect the lungs?

Yes. Some forms can cause breathlessness, cough, lung inflammation, nodules, or bleeding within the lungs. New or severe respiratory symptoms in a patient with vasculitis require prompt medical assessment.

6. Can vasculitis affect the nerves?

Yes. Reduced blood supply to nerves can cause numbness, tingling, pain, or muscle weakness, sometimes affecting individual nerves in an asymmetric pattern. Early treatment can help prevent further nerve damage.

7. How is vasculitis diagnosed?

Diagnosis may require blood and urine tests, imaging, and sometimes a biopsy of an affected tissue. The investigations depend on the suspected type of vasculitis and which organs appear to be involved.

8. Is vasculitis curable?

Some forms of vasculitis may resolve, while others are chronic or relapsing conditions requiring long-term monitoring. Modern treatments can often achieve remission and substantially reduce the risk of permanent organ damage.

9. How is vasculitis treated?

Treatment depends on the type and severity of vasculitis. It may include corticosteroids, immunosuppressive medicines, or biologic therapies. Severe organ-threatening disease usually requires more intensive and timely treatment.

10. Why is early diagnosis of vasculitis important?

Untreated inflammation of blood vessels can damage vital organs and tissues by reducing their blood supply. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can control inflammation, preserve organ function, and reduce long-term complications.