- fatigue
- FEVER
- MUSCLEaches and PAIN
- JOINTpain and swelling
The doctor may conduct BLOODtests to measure
ANTIBODYtypes and levels, blood cell counts, and
sedimentation rate and C-REACTIVE PROTEIN level
(the latter two are indicators of inflammation in
the body). Diagnostic imaging procedures such as
Doppler ULTRASOUND, MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
(MRI) COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) SCAN, and
angiogram can demonstrate any damage to or
obstruction (blockage) of the arteries and veins.
Sometimes a biopsy of the involved blood vessel is
necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment Options and Outlook
Some types of vasculitis are self-limiting and do
not require treatment. For most, treatment may
include NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS
(NSAIDS), CORTICOSTEROID MEDICATIONS, and IMMUNO-
SUPPRESSIVE MEDICATIONSthat have cytotoxic (cell-
killing) effects (such as azathioprine and
cyclophosphamide). The person may take one
kind of medication or a combination of medica-
tions, depending on the symptoms and their
severity. Nutritional EATING HABITSand daily physi-
cal exercise such as walking also aid HEALINGand
improved function.Risk Factors and Preventive Measures
Doctors do not know what causes most vasculitis,
though people who have autoimmune disorders
are more likely to develop some type of vasculitis.
Because some forms of vasculitis have potentially
severe or life-threatening complications, early
diagnosis and treatment are essential for optimal
recovery or disease management. Many of the
medications doctors prescribe to treat vasculitis
have significant side effects such as OSTEOPOROSIS
so it is important to be vigilant about such condi-
tions.
See alsoARTERY; ATHEROSCLEROSIS; HYPERSENSITIV-
ITY REACTION; LIVING WITH IMMUNE DISORDERS; OPPOR-
TUNISTIC INFECTION; RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS; SYSTEMIC
LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS(SLE); VEIN.302 The Immune System and Allergies