Vasculitis – Symptoms and Causes

ByJanis Updated

Overview

Vasculitis is a condition where blood vessels become inflamed. This inflammation causes vessel walls to thicken, which can narrow the passageways. When blood flow becomes restricted, organs and tissues may suffer damage.

Many different types of vasculitis exist, and most are uncommon. The condition can affect just one organ or multiple parts of the body. Some people experience vasculitis for a short time, while others have a long-lasting form.

Who gets vasculitis?

  • Can affect people of all ages
  • Certain types appear more frequently in specific age groups
  • No one is immune to this condition

Some mild cases might improve without medical intervention. However, most types require medication to control inflammation and prevent the condition from flaring up again.

Types

Vasculitis takes many forms, affecting different parts of the body. The main types include:

  • Behcet’s Disease
  • Buerger Disease
  • Churg-Strauss Syndrome
  • Cryoglobulinemia
  • Giant Cell Arteritis
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis
  • Henoch-Schonlein Purpura
  • Kawasaki Disease
  • Takayasu’s Arteritis

Each type targets specific blood vessels and creates different symptoms. Some affect small vessels, while others damage larger arteries.

Body Signs and Changes

Vasculitis can show up in many ways in your body. You might have fever, headache, feeling tired all the time, losing weight without trying, or general aches and pains.

Different body parts show different warning signs:

Digestive System Problems:

  • Pain after eating
  • Blood in your stool
  • Possible stomach or intestine tears

Ear Issues:

  • Feeling dizzy
  • Ringing sounds in your ears
  • Sudden loss of hearing

Eye Changes:

  • Red, itchy, or burning eyes
  • Seeing double
  • Vision loss in one or both eyes (sometimes the first sign)

Hand and Foot Symptoms:

  • Numbness or weakness
  • Swelling in palms or soles
  • Hardening of skin

Lung Problems:

  • Hard time breathing
  • Coughing up blood

Skin Signs:

  • Red spots from bleeding under the skin
  • Lumps or open sores

Some types of vasculitis can get worse quickly, and finding it early means better treatment results. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms that worry you or don’t go away.

Causes

The exact cause of vasculitis remains unknown. Some forms have genetic links, while others occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks blood vessel cells.

Several factors may trigger this immune response:

  • Infections – particularly hepatitis B and hepatitis C
  • Blood cancers
  • Autoimmune conditions – including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and scleroderma
  • Medication reactions – certain drugs can trigger vasculitis in some people

These triggers can lead the body’s defense system to target healthy blood vessels, causing inflammation and damage.

Risk Factors

Several factors can increase a person’s chance of developing vasculitis:

Age-Related Risks

  • Giant cell arteritis rarely occurs before age 50
  • Kawasaki disease mainly affects children under 5 years old

Genetic Factors

  • Behcets disease, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and Kawasaki disease may run in families

Lifestyle Choices

  • Cocaine use may raise vasculitis risk
  • Smoking increases the risk of Buerger’s disease, especially in males under 45

Medical Factors

  • Certain medications can trigger vasculitis:
    • Hydralazine
    • Allopurinol
    • Minocycline
    • Propylthiouracil

Infections and Immune Conditions

  • Hepatitis B and C infections increase risk
  • Autoimmune disorders like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and scleroderma are associated with higher vasculitis risk

Sex Differences

  • Giant cell arteritis affects females more frequently
  • Buerger disease is more common in males

Complications

Vasculitis can lead to several serious health issues depending on its type and severity. Treatment medications may also cause problems.

Organs throughout the body may suffer damage from certain forms of vasculitis. This can affect normal bodily functions over time.

Blood vessel problems are another concern. Vessels might develop clots that block blood flow. In rare cases, weakened blood vessels can bulge, forming an aneurysm.

People with untreated giant cell arteritis risk losing vision or becoming blind completely.

Medication side effects present another challenge. Many vasculitis treatments suppress the immune system, making patients more vulnerable to various infections.

These complications highlight why proper medical management is essential for people with vasculitis.

Health Writer

Janis's areas of expertise include nutrition, exercise, stress management, and mental health. She is passionate about educating and empowering people to take control of their health and make positive changes that can last a lifetime. Janis believes that small, sustainable changes are the key to long-term success, and she works with her clients to develop personalized plans that fit their individual needs and lifestyles.