Vasculitis, A Simple Guide to the Condition, Treatment and Related Diseases

Vasculitis is an inflammatory condition of the blood vesselsInflammation may involve pain, redness, warmth in the affected tissues. If a blood vessel is inflamed, it can cause narrowingPoor blood flow may cause cells of organs to stop livingVasculitis can affect the arteries, veins and capillariesLarge blood vessel inflammation include Takayasu's ArteritisThe moderate blood vessels include Kawasaki and PolyarteritisThe small blood vessel includes Henoch Schonlein purpura and polyangiitisDiagnosis is by the microscopic examination of the blood vessel biopsyAngiography of the inflamed blood vessels is also diagnostic.
Treatment of vasculitis includes corticosteroids and cytotoxic medicines. The goal is to stop the immune response that caused the inflammation.-An original poem by Kenneth KeeInteresting Facts about the VasculitisA Healthy Lifestyle1. Take a well Balanced Diet2. Treatment for vasculitis will depend on the type of vasculitis you have, which organs are affected, and the severity of the condition. People who have severe vasculitis are treated with prescription medicines.
Rarely, surgery may be done. People who have mild vasculitis may find relief with over-the-counter pain medicines, such as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. The main goal of treating vasculitis is to reduce inflammation in the affected blood vessels. This usually is done by reducing or stopping the immune response that caused the inflammation. Other TreatmentCommon prescription medicines used to treat vasculitis include corticosteroids and cytotoxic medicines.
Corticosteroids help reduce inflammation in the blood vessels. Examples of corticosteroids are prednisone, prednisolone, and methylprednisolone. Doctors may prescribe cytotoxic medicines if vasculitis is severe or if corticosteroids don't work well. Cytotoxic medicines kill the cells that are causing the inflammation. Examples of these medicines are azathioprine, methotrexate, and cyclophosphamide.
The doctor may prescribe both corticosteroids and cytotoxic medicines. Other treatments may be used for certain types of vasculitis. For example, the standard treatment for Kawasaki disease is high-dose aspirin and immune globulin. Immune globulin is a medicine that's injected into a vein. Certain types of vasculitis may require surgery to remove aneurysms that have formed as a result of the condition3.
Keep bones and body strongBone marrow produces our bloodEat foods rich in calcium like yogurt, cheese, milk, and dark green vegetables. Eat foods rich in Vitamin D, like eggs, fatty fish, cereal, and fortified milk. Eat food rich in Vitamins B and C such as green vegetables and fruitsZinc and other minerals are important to the body4. Get enough rest and SleepAvoid stress and tension5. Exercise and stay active.
It is best to do weight-bearing exercise such as walking, jogging, stair climbing, dancing, or lifting weights for 2oe hours a week. One way to do this is to be active 30 minutes a day at least 5 days a week. Begin slowly especially if a person has not been active.6. Do not drink more than 2 alcohol drinks a day for a man or 1 alcohol drink a day for a woman. Alcohol use also increases the chance of falling and breaking a bone.
Alcohol can affect the neurons and brain cells.7. Stop or do not begin smoking. It also interferes with blood supply and healing. Chapter 1Vasculitis is a condition that involves inflammation in the blood vessels. The condition occurs if the immune system attacks the blood vessels by mistake. This may happen as the result of an infection, a medicine, or another disease or...