Vasculitisis a medical condition involving swollen or inflamed blood vessels that can affect different parts of the body.

When the blood vessels become inflamed, it inhibitsblood flowand can lead to complications, including organ damage.

Learn about vasculitis, its causes and risk factors, types, treatment options, and more.

Woman sitting in a group setting clutching her chest

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This can lead toinflammationin various organs and regions of the body, sometimes in the entire body.

Some types of vasculitis are more common among women, while other types are more common among men.

Healthy lifestyle choices can help to prevent vasculitis from happening.

Close up shot of vasculitis on white skin

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Symptoms: How Do You Know You Have Vasculitis?

The symptoms of vasculitis vary depending on the throw in and the part of the body affected.

The effects of vasculitis can be severe and life-threatening.

Other types of vasculitis, includingBehcet’s syndromeand relapsing polychondritis, can affect various sizes of blood vessels.

The testing may include blood tests, imaging such as x-rays orultrasound, biopsy, and urinalysis.

Sometimes, a combination of medications is used to minimize the side effects of more powerful drugs.

Resources and Support

There are many resources available and options for support for anyone experiencing vasculitis.

If you or someone you know is experiencing vasculitis, talk to a healthcare provider about resources and support.

Summary

Vasculitis is a medical condition that involves restricted blood flow due to inflamed blood vessels.

An autoimmune response causes some types of vasculitis.

Other causes may include cancer, infections, and smoking.

There are different types, and reaching a diagnosis may be challenging or take time.

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National Institutes of Health.Vasculitis.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Symptoms of vasculitis.

University of Michigan Medicine.Types of vasculitis.

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Vasculitis Foundation.Granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

2014;2014:603171. doi:10.1155/2014/603171

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Vasculitis Foundation.VF virtual support meetings.