Vasculitis

While rare, vasculitis affects about 50 people (or less) of every million in the United States each year. If you struggle with numbness, tingling, joint pain, or other bothersome symptoms linked to vasculitis, turn to Rheumatology East, with locations in Germantown and Jackson, Tennessee. Board-certified rheumatologist Bradley Postlethwaite, MD, diagnoses and treats this condition to ease symptoms, reduce the risk of complications, and restore your quality of life. Schedule an evaluation by phone or request one online today.

What is vasculitis?

Vasculitis is an autoimmune disease causing swelling and thickening in the blood vessels, including arteries, veins, and capillaries. This makes it more difficult for blood to flow through these vessels, which, over time, increases your risk of organ damage, blood clots, aneurysms, and other dangerous complications when left untreated. More than 30 types of vasculitis exist.

Which symptoms can vasculitis cause?

Vasculitis can cause:

• Numbness or tingling in your feet or hands
• Coughing
• Difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Rash
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Joint pain
• Kidney problems
• Stomach pain
• Headaches
• General aches and pains
• Blood in the stool or other digestive symptoms
• Issues with your eyes, vision, ears, or hearing
• Red spots, lumps, or sores on your skin
• Stroke
• Heart attack

Vasculitis may affect any of your blood vessels, including those connected to your eyes, nerves, heart, lungs, skin, hands, feet, stomach, kidneys, brain, and other organs. 

Call 911 if you or a loved one experiences symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, such as chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, paralysis, weakness, or confusion. 

What increases the risk of vasculitis?

Factors that may increase your risk of developing vasculitis include:

• Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and other infections
• Some medications
• Other autoimmune diseases (lupus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.)
• Certain cancers, particularly blood cancer
• Family history of vasculitis
• Using cocaine
• Smoking 

Vasculitis causes your immune system to mistakenly attack its body tissues. However, the exact cause of this autoimmune disease isn’t fully clear. 

How is vasculitis diagnosed?

Diagnosing vasculitis consists of a physical exam and a discussion of your medical history, lifestyle, medications, and symptoms. You might need blood testing, biopsies, organ function tests, an angiography (X-ray of your blood vessels), an MRI, CT scan, PET scan, or other imaging procedures. 

How is vasculitis treated?

Your personalized vasculitis treatment plan may consist of one or more of the following:

• Corticosteroid medications
• ACE inhibitor medicines
• Immunosuppressants
• Biologics
• Other medicines
• Vasculitis surgery

If you need surgery, Dr. Postlethwaite refers you to another specialist for care. While there’s no cure for vasculitis, treatment can help you effectively manage unpleasant symptoms and reduce the risk of complications.

Schedule a vasculitis evaluation at Rheumatology East by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.