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What Is Vasculitis & Who Is Vulnerable To It?

blood cells going through the blood vessels

THIS POST WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2014 BUT WAS UPDATED ON 6/21/2021

I had to learn a new term that apparently I now have or actually had because it is starting to go away for now.

It is called Vasculitis and it’s an inflammation of the blood vessels.

Some forms last for a long time and some are just a short-term problem. It can also be called ‘Angiitis‘ or ‘Arteritis‘ and it can be severe.

The tissues and organs supplied by the affected vessels don’t get enough blood. This shortage of blood can result in organ and tissue damage even death.

 The signs and symptoms of vasculitis vary depending on which blood vessels are affected and as a result which organs are affected. The general symptoms are as follows:

  • Fever

  • Fatigue

  • Weight Loss

  • Muscle and Joint pain

  • Nerve problems, such as numbness and weakness

Vasculitis occurs when your immune system mistakenly sees blood vessel cells as ‘foreign and attacks. Blood vessels become inflamed which can cause the layer of the blood vessel wall to thicken, this narrows the vessels reducing the amount of blood that can flow through (therefore reducing oxygen and nutrients from getting through).

In some cases instead of narrowing a bulge forms and this can cause a blood clot. The complications of vasculitis are organ damage or recurring episodes of vasculitis. Steroids are usually what is given to combat this.  I found this and a whole lot of other information out at the Mayo Clinic website.
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About Rena McDaniel

I'm a recovering Alzheimer's Caregiver, a former loving daughter, a current wife, mom, and grandma who remembers all too clearly what it is like on the front lines of Alz Caregiving. I provide real advice, pro tips, or excellent tools from my own experiences and other experts I find along the way. A community of caregivers supporting each other!

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