Capillary vasculitis. Hemorrhagic vasculitis (Allergic purpura, Henoch-Schönlein disease, Capillary toxicosis). Brief characteristics of some types

Vasculitis is a group of different diseases, the basis of the pathogenesis of which is damage to the walls of blood vessels with subsequent involvement of various organs and systems in the pathological process. Vasculitis can be primary or secondary. Primary vasculitis is an independent disease belonging to the group of rheumatic diseases. Secondary vasculitis occurs as a complication of various systemic diseases.

Causes of primary vasculitis

Primary vasculitis is a group of different diseases, so it is quite difficult to talk about specific causes. In most cases, the cause remains unknown. Provoking factors that trigger the inflammatory process in blood vessels are considered:

• Various infections. Quite often it is possible to trace the development of vasculitis after infectious diseases caused by various streptococci, staphylococci, Yersinia and other bacteria, hepatitis B and C with the detection of viral antigens in the wall of the affected vessels.
• Taking various medications. Currently, more than a hundred medications have been identified, the use of which can provoke the development of vasculitis. Among the most common are antibacterial drugs, analgesics, vitamins, and radiocontrast agents.
• There are known cases of the development of vasculitis after vaccination.
• The role of genetic predisposition to the occurrence of systemic vasculitis, caused by a defect in the immune response or a change in the reactivity of the vascular walls, has not been fully studied.

Symptoms of vasculitis

With primary vasculitis, the pathological process develops in the walls of blood vessels, and the symptoms depend on the level of damage to the circulatory system. Inflammation can involve both the aorta and large great vessels, as well as the smallest capillaries. This explains the variety of complaints and clinical manifestations and complicates the diagnosis of the disease.

Common symptoms include:

• Fatigue quickly.
• Headache.
• General weakness.
• Decreased appetite and weight loss.
• An increase in body temperature to subfebrile levels for a long time, which does not decrease while taking antibacterial drugs.

Most vasculitis is characterized by skin lesions. Clinical manifestations of diseases are polymorphic and depend on the severity of the process, the size of the affected vessels, and their location. Spots, petechiae, purpura, ecchymoses, and livedo reticularis may appear on the skin. In advanced stages, trophic ulcers may appear, deep, painless, with scanty discharge. Ulcer healing depends more on the adequacy of treatment for systemic disease than on local therapy.

A common symptom is joint damage; patients experience severe pain without loss of functionality of the affected limbs.

Muscle pain is caused by a disruption in their blood supply. Severe pain may precede a disorder of the peripheral nervous system, which will manifest itself in a decrease in the sensitivity of the tips of the fingers and toes.

Prognostically unfavorable syndrome - kidney damage occurs in 20 - 30% of patients and indicates an advanced process.

Photo. Vasculitis on the body and arms

Diagnosis of vasculitis

There are no specific laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis of vasculitis. An important role in diagnosis is played by the clinical picture of the disease, that is, the sequence of appearance and severity of individual symptoms, as well as changes revealed during an objective examination of the patient. The gender and age of the patient are of great importance. Laboratory indicators characterize the activity of the pathological process (severity of leukocytosis, ESR, presence of rheumatoid factor, immunoglobulins). A biopsy of affected tissue plays an important role in vasculitis. Specific forms of vasculitis have their own criteria for assessing the characteristics of the clinical picture and laboratory parameters.

Hemorrhagic vasculitis characterized by damage to small vessels, develops mainly in children and adolescents. The clinical picture includes damage to the skin, joints, intestines and kidneys. Skin rashes are small subcutaneous hemorrhages (purpura) localized on the legs. The main danger of this disease is kidney damage, which can remain asymptomatic for a long time and lead to kidney failure.

Takayasu arteritis associated with damage to the aorta and its branches, while areas of narrowing appear in the vessels, alternating with local dilations. Mostly young women are affected. Symptoms are associated with the presence of an inflammatory process and insufficient blood supply to vital organs. High risk of serious complications: stroke, myocardial infarction, kidney failure.

Horton's arteritis (temporal, senile arteritis) . Large arteries are also affected, but this type of damage is more localized. The branches of the carotid artery are most often affected, with the temporal artery most commonly affected. It is observed in women after 60 years of age. High risk of strokes, vision loss.

Polyarteritis nodosa . develops more often in young men and is associated with hepatitis B infection. Small and medium-sized arteries are affected with the formation of many aneurysms. Characterized by high fever, severe muscle pain, joint pain, rapid weight loss, and kidney damage.

Cryoglobulinemic vasculitis associated with long-term infection with hepatitis C. Women over 30 years of age suffer.

Treatment of vasculitis

Drug therapy for systemic vasculitis is aimed primarily at suppressing autoimmune inflammation, strengthening the vascular wall, improving blood circulation and blood clotting.

The basis of treatment for most systemic vasculitis is anti-inflammatory therapy with hormonal agents and immunosuppression. The drugs of choice for anti-inflammatory treatment are hormonal glucocorticoids - prednisolone and methylprednisolone. Their action is based on the mechanism of suppressing the formation of inflammatory factors and reducing the production of antibodies to one’s own tissues. In severe cases of the disease, treatment begins with intravenous administration of high doses of prednisolone. Droppers are prescribed for 3-5 days, followed by a transition to tablet forms and a gradual reduction in the dose to a maintenance dose. It is not recommended to independently adjust the dose of prednisolone or stop taking the drug due to the risk of side effects. This can lead to exacerbation and nullify all achieved results.

To suppress the activity of the immune system, cytostatics (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, azathioprine) are used. If the inflammatory reaction is excessive, therapy begins with the drug cyclophosphamide (cyclophosphamide), its therapeutic effect is based on a decrease in B and T lymphocytes, which reduces the number of autoantibodies. When the process stabilizes, they switch to less aggressive cytostatics.

The use of extracorporeal hemocorrection methods (blood purification using plasmapheresis with ultraviolet irradiation of blood) can improve microcirculation and speed up the treatment of diseases.

To improve the rheological properties of blood, antithrombotic drugs are used: trental, chimes. Vasodilators: nicotinic acid, complamin have a good effect as concomitant therapy.

The choice of drug dosage, duration of therapy, combination of drugs to obtain an optimal therapeutic effect with a minimum of side effects is a complex medical task that only professionals can do. Without proper treatment, the prognosis of the disease is unfavorable. The five-year survival rate of patients is only 10%. Only adequate pathogenetic therapy with the above drugs can prolong life and improve its quality. This group of diseases cannot be treated with folk remedies and herbal preparations. Don't self-medicate!

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Inflammation of the walls of blood vessels - vasculitis

Vasculitis is a term that refers to a group of diseases in which there is inflammation of the walls of blood vessels with their subsequent destruction.

In most cases, vasculitis affects several organs at once; as a result of this disease, blood supply and tissue nutrition are disrupted.

Forms of the disease

Doctors distinguish between primary and secondary vasculitis. In the first case, vasculitis develops as an independent disease that is not accompanied by other ailments.

Secondary vasculitis is a consequence of some other pathology. Often the cause of secondary vasculitis is an infection (sepsis, scarlet fever, meningitis, etc.) or a skin disease (most often, psoriasis). Less commonly, secondary vasculitis develops against the background of the formation of a malignant tumor. This form of the disease, as a rule, goes away after the disease that provoked vascular inflammation is cured.

There are several classification systems for vasculitis, depending on the location, severity and causes of development. Some types of vasculitis affect exclusively the skin, without causing much harm to the internal organ. Other types of the disease affect the vessels of vital organs and pose a threat to the life of the patient.

Reasons for the development of the disease

Since the group of primary vasculitis includes quite heterogeneous diseases, identifying the causes of the development of this pathology is extremely difficult. In most cases, it is not possible to identify the cause of vasculitis.

To date, the dominant theory about the origin of vasculitis is the recognition of the infectious nature of the disease. A number of forms of vasculitis have a clear temporal connection with various diseases caused by infectious agents. Moreover, the presence of a focus of chronic infection in the body is a possible reason for the development of relapse of the disease or the occurrence of secondary complications of vasculitis.

In some cases, the cause of the development of vascular inflammation is an allergic reaction of the body to taking various medications. Today, about 150 different medications have been identified, the use of which can provoke the appearance of vasculitis. Most often, a similar reaction is caused by taking antibiotics, sulfonamides, B vitamins, iodine preparations, analgesics, radiocontrast agents, and tuberculostatics.

A hereditary predisposition to the development of vasculitis cannot be ruled out, since this disease is often observed in blood relatives.

Clinical picture

Vasculitis is a disease characterized by clinical polymorphism, that is, the symptoms and manifestations of the disease can vary significantly. The symptomatic picture may vary depending on the location of the affected area and the presence of concomitant diseases.

The complaints of patients with vasculitis are varied. As a rule, the disease begins acutely with the appearance of signs of the development of an inflammatory process.

Among the common symptoms of vasculitis it is worth highlighting:

• Reducing the patient's weight.
• Constant low-grade fever.
• Fatigue quickly.
• Headache.

Other symptoms of vasculitis depend on which specific organs are affected.

When the blood vessels in the skin become inflamed, a characteristic rash appears that looks like minor hemorrhages. As the disease progresses, muscle tissue, nerves, and joints may become involved in the inflammatory process.

If vasculitis affects the vessels of the kidneys, then patients develop nephritis, renal infarction or other similar pathologies.

In the event that the main organ affected is the joints, pain is noted and signs of arthritis appear, which occurs with damage, but without deformation of the joints.

When vasculitis affects the nervous system, patients experience sensory impairment. Some patients develop hypersensitivity, while others develop no sensitivity at all.

Vasculitis can also affect the coronary vessels, and this is the most dangerous form of the disease, which results in heart attacks and strokes.

In any case, vasculitis is a disease characterized by a long course, frequent relapses and labor-intensive treatment.

Diagnostic methods

The basis for the success of vasculitis treatment is early diagnosis. The later the stage of the disease is when the correct diagnosis is made, the more likely the development of complications and irreversible changes.

Diagnosis is based on the study of the clinical manifestations of the disease, that is, the patient’s complaints and data obtained as a result of an objective examination and examination.

An important diagnostic factor is the gender and age of the patient. Thus, hemorrhagic vasculitis mainly occurs in children or young people. This form of vasculitis, such as nonspecific aortoarteritis, affects mainly girls under 30 years of age, and Buerger's thromboangiitis obliterans affects mainly men.

Treatment and symptoms of vasculitis

Vasculitis, also called angiitis, literally means “inflammation of blood vessels.” This is a group of systemic diseases, the common manifestation of which is damage to the vascular wall. In this case, the targets are vessels of various sizes: from small capillaries to the largest vessel - the aorta.

Types of vasculitis

All vasculitis are divided into two large groups. This division is based on the reasons that caused the development of this pathology.

1. Primary vasculitis. They belong to independent systemic diseases, since inflammation is based on an autoimmune process. Most of them are hereditary.

2. Secondary vasculitis - occurs against the background of other diseases of the body, usually of infectious origin (meningitis, typhoid).

In 2012, the clinical classification of vasculitis was revised. It is based on several features: the caliber of the affected vessels and the localization of the process in the body.

1. Depending on the caliber of the affected vessels, vasculitis is divided:

- with damage to large vessels - giant cell arteritis and nonspecific aortoarteritis;

- with damage to medium-sized vessels - Kawasaki disease and polyarteritis nodosa;

- with damage to small vessels is divided, depending on the pathogenesis, into:

Autoimmune vasculitis - ANCA-associated vasculitis (ANCA - antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies);

Immune complex vasculitis.

- with damage to vessels of various sizes - Cogan's syndrome and Behçet's disease.

2. Depending on the damage to target organs:

- with damage to one organ - cutaneous vasculitis, vasculitis of the central nervous system;

- vasculitis combined with systemic diseases - rheumatism, systemic lupus erythematosus, etc.;

- vasculitis combined with certain diseases with an established etiology - syphilis, hepatitis, cancer, etc.

Reasons for the development of vasculitis

The development of vasculitis, both primary and secondary, is based on disruption of the immune system, which leads to the development of an autoimmune or immune complex mechanism of inflammation. Autoimmune damage is a distortion of the immune system. In this case, the body begins to produce antibodies to its own cells, in this case, to the cells of the vascular wall (endothelium). With the immune complex mechanism of inflammation, vascular cells are affected by complexes circulating in the blood, consisting of an antigen-antibody association. For some reason they are not neutralized by the body.

Factors that trigger the development of vasculitis are varied:

- stress;

- viral or bacterial infection;

— chronic inflammatory diseases;

— chronic systemic processes;

- hormonal disorders;

— immunodeficiency states;

- the effect of toxic substances (including nicotine, drugs and alcohol), etc.

It should be taken into account that this disease is hereditary. That is, the tendency to develop it is transmitted from parents to children, which requires nonspecific prevention in risk groups.

Symptoms of vasculitis

The clinical picture of the disease depends on the size of the affected vessels and the localization of the process. Common points for all types of vasculitis are the following:

— the development of the disease occurs in stages;

— systemic damage to the body is observed;

— presence of clinically and laboratory confirmed inflammatory manifestations.

The onset of the disease is acute or subacute. Generalized inflammation manifests itself in the form of increased body temperature, decreased appetite, asthenic syndrome (weakness, fatigue, malaise), hepato-lienal syndrome (enlarged liver and spleen), polylymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes of various locations). In some cases, the following may be observed: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, chest pain, palpitations, arrhythmias, pain in small and large joints.

When the gastrointestinal tract is affected, the following are observed: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain. Damage to the lung tissue is manifested by shortness of breath and coughing. When the nervous system is damaged, severe manifestations are observed in the form of symptoms of irritation of the meninges, the development of ischemic strokes and hemorrhages in the brain tissue. Heart damage manifests itself in the form of endocarditis, myocarditis or pericarditis. Skin lesions manifest themselves in the form of rashes of a papular, erythmatous or hemorrhagic nature.

In some cases, necrotization of the rash may be observed.

Features of eosinophilic vasculitis

Eosinophilic granulomatous vasculitis, or Churg-Strauss syndrome, is a systemic, autoimmune lesion of small vessels (arterioles and venules). With this disease, characteristic eosinophilic infiltration of the perivascular space is observed, followed by the formation of granulomas in various organs and tissues. This type of vasculitis is often combined with drug allergies and bronchial asthma. Its prevalence in the population is quite low. The pathology occurs with a frequency of approximately 1: 1 million cases per year.

The onset of the disease is acute. Symptoms of intoxication are pronounced; symptoms from various organs can be observed:

- symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract in the form of abdominal pain;

- symptoms from the respiratory system - shortness of breath, changes in radiographs;

- on the skin - erythematous and hemorrhagic rashes;

- circulatory system - heart pain, shortness of breath, pericarditis, heart attack;

- from the joints - pain and stiffness in the joints and muscles.

The diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in a blood test, the presence of eosinophilia in a blood test, and the identification of characteristic granulomas during examination.

Complications of vasculitis

Complications of vasculitis are associated with damage to various organs, and in some cases are quite severe.

When the circulatory system is damaged, heart attacks, endocarditis and pericarditis can occur.

When the nervous system is damaged - psychosis, strokes.

On the part of the respiratory system, it is pneumonitis with the development of respiratory failure.

Nephritis and proteinuria are observed in the urinary system. From the gastrointestinal tract - vomiting, bleeding, perforation of the intestinal wall, exudative inflammation of the peritoneum.

The manifestations of vasculitis are very nonspecific, so making the correct diagnosis in some cases is difficult.

Although the presence of skin symptoms makes the task much easier. Diagnosis requires a comprehensive examination of the patient, which includes:

- blood and urine tests;

— determination of indicators of systemic inflammation;

— determination of indicators of the function of individual organs;

- endoscopic examination of the gastrointestinal tract:

- X-rays of the lungs:

- kidney function tests, etc.

There are a number of diseases similar to vasculitis:

- infectious diseases - measles. rubella. chickenpox, mumps. With these diseases, an acute onset, high fever and the presence of skin rashes are also observed. These diseases can be distinguished from vasculitis based on the different nature of the rash and the course of the disease;

- systemic autoimmune processes - rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma. dermatomyositis. These diseases, like vasculitis, begin acutely or subacutely, with an increase in temperature and the appearance of symptoms of intoxication. Joint pain and signs of damage to the lung tissue, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract may also appear. They differ in their characteristic clinical manifestations and changes in blood tests. However, the clinical picture of systemic diseases is characterized by the development of secondary vasculitis, which must be distinguished from primary;

- arterial damage: endarteritis, atherosclerosis. In these diseases, the vascular wall, the endothelium, is also affected due to the deposition of lipids on it or the formation of inflammation of the vascular endothelium. The diagnosis can be made based on a comprehensive examination of the patient;

- allergic dermatitis, eczema, urticaria. These diseases, like vasculitis, are characterized by the presence of rashes, and sometimes an increase in temperature is observed;

- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (esophagitis, gastritis, colitis, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum), respiratory (bronchitis, pneumonia) and urinary system (nephritis). Vasculitis can resemble these diseases in its own way, since vascular damage occurs throughout the body, including the vessels of the mucous membranes of the stomach, intestines, lungs and renal glomeruli. Additional research will help to make a correct diagnosis.

Drug treatment of vasculitis

First of all, the treatment of vasculitis should be comprehensive and include the elimination of the concomitant disease that became the background for the development of vasculitis. There are several directions in the treatment of vasculitis.

They are aimed at:

- suppression of the distorted function of the immune system - the use of systemic glucocorticosteroids (prednisolone, dexamethasone, diprospan), cytostatic drugs (methotrexate, azathioprine) and immunosuppressants (cyclosporine);

- relief of systemic inflammation - glucocorticoids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, ibuprofen);

- prevention of bleeding - use of platelet mass, heparin and its derivatives (fraxiparine, fragmin, clexane);

— desensitization – plasmapheresis, use of low doses of allergens;

- restoration of vascular tone - solcoseryl, dicinone, calcium gluconate, aminocaproic acid, detralex, venoruton, aescusan, vitamins (B12, E, C) and others

- treatment of symptoms associated with disruption of organs and systems - depends on the localization of the process,

- in some cases, antibiotics are required (more often with secondary vasculitis),

- for rashes, the use of gels, ointments and creams is effective - solcoseryl, troxevasin, venoton, acemin and heparin ointment.

Traditional medicine for vasculitis

Phytotherapy methods are effective for the treatment of vasculitis.

For this, various infusions and mixtures are used based on sophora, yarrow, elderberry and nettle or based on the leaves of poplar, elderberry, string, horsetail, and mint.

Japanese Sophora will work more effectively if you use its alcohol tincture. The fruits of the plant (20g) are used, which are filled with 100 ml of vodka and infused in a dark place for 7-10 days. Then the tincture is filtered and taken 20-30 drops 2-3 times a day.

An alcohol infusion of mountain arnica flowers is a good healing agent. To prepare it you need 1 part of raw materials and 20 parts of vodka or 70% alcohol. Take 20-40 drops orally, 2-3 times a day.

If you are intolerant to alcohol, you can prepare a water infusion by pouring 1 teaspoon of the herb with 1 glass of boiling water and leaving for 1 hour. The infusion is then filtered and taken 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day.

The effect of fragrant rue in vasculitis is based on the content of a large amount of rutin in it, which strengthens blood vessels well. For treatment, an infusion consisting of 1 tsp is used. rue leaves and 2 cups boiled water. The mixture is infused for 8 hours and taken strictly 1/3 cup 3 times a day. This is a potent drug, the use of large doses of which can cause complications.

A collection based on nettle leaves (20 g), sophora thickfruited fruits (20 g), knotweed herb (20 g), yarrow (15 g), elderberry fruits (5 g), has anti-allergic properties. An infusion is prepared from the mixture (1 tsp per 1 glass of water), and 100 ml is taken orally 2 times a day.

Various tinctures based on immunomodulating plants (ginseng, eleutherococcus) are also used.

It is effective to use an infusion of licorice root, which has an effect similar to corticosteroids.

Hirudotherapy is also used for vasculitis (treatment with leeches). This is an effective means of stimulating hematopoiesis. Procedures are carried out 1-2 times a week, lasting 30-60 minutes. The duration of treatment is about 10 days, and depends on the patient’s condition.

Vasculitis is dangerous due to its complications, so for treatment you should not use only traditional medicine methods; the solution to the problem must be comprehensive.

Disease prevention

There is no specific prevention (vaccines) for this disease.

The main methods of nonspecific prevention of vasculitis are as follows:

— timely detection and comprehensive treatment of systemic autoimmune diseases,

— timely detection and treatment of acute and chronic infectious diseases,

- strengthening the immune system with the help of immunomodulators,

- hardening of the body,

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only; you should contact your doctor for diagnosis and treatment! The use of the recommendations prescribed above should be agreed with your doctor.

Systemic vasculitis is a large group of diseases characterized by inflammation followed by destruction of the walls of small, medium and large vessels. As a result, ischemia of tissues and organs develops. Systemic vasculitis is characterized by a relapsing course, but it can also often worsen. Symptoms of illnesses largely depend on the location of the blood vessel, its caliber, as well as on the activity of the inflammatory process.

Clinicians refer to systemic vasculitis as:

• Kawasaki disease;
• Henoch-Schönlein syndrome. It is also known under another name - hemorrhagic vasculitis (one of the most common forms of pathology);
• Churg-Strauss syndrome;
• nonspecific aortoarteritis. In medicine, this disease is also known as Takayasu syndrome;
• cryoglobulinemic vasculitis;
• microscopic polyangiitis;
• Wegener's granulomatosis.

All of the above systemic vasculitis differ from each other in the localization of the inflammatory process and in the severity of its course. It is worth taking into account that some forms affect exclusively the skin and bring only mild discomfort to the patient, but others are extremely difficult and can even lead to death if they are not diagnosed in time and correct treatment is not carried out.

This group of ailments can be aggravated by damage to the visual apparatus, skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, joints, etc. An accurate diagnosis can only be made after several laboratory tests, visceral angiography and based on the results of a biopsy.

Systemic vasculitis is quite rare, but in recent years there has been a tendency to increase the prevalence of this pathology. Men from the middle age group are most often affected. But also some forms of the disease primarily affect women (Horton's disease, Takayasu's arteritis). Sometimes systemic vasculitis may occur in children.

Causes

The reasons for the progression of this group of diseases have not yet been fully studied by medicine. But there are already several theories directly related to the occurrence of systemic vasculitis. Clinicians are more inclined to believe that illnesses develop as a result of previously suffered severe viral diseases. As a result of this, the immune system begins to react abnormally to the infectious agent, which gives impetus to the progression of systemic vasculitis. In medicine, it is not uncommon for a person to develop vasculitis after suffering from viral hepatitis.

The second, most reliable theory, is based on the autoimmune nature of vasculitis. In this case, clinicians suggest that the development of the disease is facilitated by the fact that the immune system begins to recognize the cells that make up the blood vessels as foreign and begins to destroy them.

There is also an assumption that systemic vasculitis can be transmitted at the genetic level. It is believed that unfavorable environmental factors, as well as hereditary predisposition, greatly increase a person’s chances of developing vasculitis.

Classification

Classification by nature of occurrence:

• primary vasculitis;
• secondary vasculitis.

Primary vasculitis progress independently, without underlying ailments. They are characterized by an inflammatory process that affects the vascular walls. The development of this type of disease is associated with impaired immune reactivity. The inflammatory process penetrates all layers of the vascular wall. As a result, vessel occlusion and microcirculatory disorders develop, which, in turn, lead to ischemia. In the most severe clinical situations, tissue necrosis or even tissue necrosis may develop.

Secondary vasculitis is a disease that progresses against the background of existing pathology in the human body. Clinicians consider it as a complication or as a local optional manifestation.

The modern classification of vasculitis provides for their distribution into groups depending on the caliber of the affected vessels:

• damage to large vessels;
• damage to medium-sized vessels;
• damage to small vessels.

This classification is relevant and is used in medical institutions for accurate diagnosis and diagnosis.

Symptoms

Symptoms directly depend on the type of vessels that are affected. If this disease progresses, the patient experiences loss of appetite, fever, general weakness, weight loss, muscle and joint pain.

Also, the main symptoms can be supplemented with signs that are characteristic of various types of vasculitis.

• Takayasu arteritis. This type of vasculitis primarily affects women. “Attacks” the large arteries of the body. Main symptoms: headaches, feeling of cold or numbness in the lower extremities, complete absence of pulse in them or low pulse pressure, visual impairment, increased blood pressure;
• Behçet's disease. It primarily affects young men of working age. Main symptoms: the formation of ulcers, localized mainly on the genitals and in the mouth, damage to the skin, inflammation of the organs of vision;
• Buerger's disease. This disease is also known as thromboangiitis obliterans. It is characterized by the formation of small blood clots in the vessels of the extremities. Most often, such vasculitis occurs in representatives of the stronger sex. Symptoms: severe pain in the limbs, formation of ulcers on the fingers;
• giant cell arteritis. This type primarily affects people over 50 years of age. The pathological process begins in inflammation of the arteries of the head. As a result, the patient experiences severe headaches, pain in the cervical muscle structures, numbness of the tongue and pain when chewing food. Gradually, the symptoms intensify and the vessels of the visual apparatus are affected;
• Wegener's granulomatosis. With this type, the vessels of the nose, as well as the paranasal sinuses, kidneys and lungs are affected. At the early stage of development of the pathology, the symptoms are less pronounced, but as it progresses, difficult nasal breathing and nosebleeds appear;
• microscopic polyangiitis. This pathology affects small-caliber vessels in the skin, kidneys and lungs, and nerve endings. The patient gradually begins to lose weight, ulcers form on the skin, and fever develops. When the kidney vessels are damaged, inflammation of the glomeruli (glomeruli) is observed, which leads to a decrease in their function;
• cryoglobulinemic vasculitis. Its characteristic symptom is the appearance of purpura on the lower extremities. The person's joints also become inflamed. As the pathology progresses, they experience a feeling of numbness. This feature is due to the fact that vasculitis has already damaged the nerve endings;
• Henoch-Schönlein purpura. The pathology mainly affects young children, but it can also occur at any age. With this purpura, the vessels of the kidneys, skin, joints and intestines are affected. As a result of this, severe abdominal pain appears, purpura on the extremities, and urine mixed with blood may also be released;
• Churg-Strauss syndrome. This vasculitis exclusively affects the blood vessels of the lungs;
• polyarteritis nodosa. The disease can affect blood vessels located anywhere in the human body. The symptoms are quite extensive. Purpura, ulceration, deterioration of kidney function, and severe abdominal pain are noted.

Diagnostics

Diagnostics includes a complete examination of the patient by a neurologist, rheumatologist, nephrologist, as well as other specialized specialists. At the appointment, specialists clarify the history of life and the disease itself, and also conduct an examination. Diagnosis of systemic vasculitis includes laboratory and instrumental techniques.

Laboratory diagnostic methods:

• , including and ;
• blood test for CRP and RF.

Instrumental diagnostic methods:

• X-ray;
• echocardiography;
• angiographic examination;
• biopsy of affected tissue.

Treatment

Treatment of vasculitis is carried out only after a thorough diagnosis and clarification of what type of disease has affected the person. It largely depends on which system or organ in the body was affected, as well as on the stage of development of the pathology. process.

In the case of the progression of allergic vasculitis, in which only the skin is affected, in some situations doctors even do without the use of synthetic drugs. It is worth paying attention to the fact that the treatment is aimed at completely eliminating the inflammatory process that has affected the vascular wall, restoring the normal functioning of organs and systems, and also avoiding the development of possible severe complications.

In almost all cases, patients are prescribed hormonal therapy with glucocorticoids. This treatment tactic allows you to quite effectively and quickly eliminate inflammation in the blood vessels and reduce the abnormal activity of the immune system. GMPs are also used as an additional means. They are also necessary to eliminate inflammation and reduce pain. For hemorrhagic vasculitis, the course of treatment must include antimicrobial drugs. In order to improve blood circulation and prevent the formation of blood clots in the bloodstream, medications that thin the blood are prescribed.

If conservative treatment with hormonal drugs does not bring improvement, then chemotherapy with cytostatics is indicated.

In severe cases, blood purification is required during treatment. Then doctors resort to hemosorption and plasmapheresis.

Prevention

In order not to treat vasculitis, you should take measures to prevent this disease:

• complete rest;
• healthy sleep;
• hardening of the body;
• timely treatment of infectious diseases;
• proper nutrition.

It is extremely important to avoid stress on the immune system, which can lead to a malfunction of the entire immune system and can cause the progression of vasculitis.

Vasculitis is an autoimmune inflammation of the vessel wall. This syndrome can affect any vessels of different sizes: arterioles, veins, arteries, venules, capillaries.

In the process of its development, the pathology leads to complications in various organs, which is due to disruption of the normal blood flow to these parts of the body. Depending on what and how provoked the disease, vasculitis is divided into primary and secondary.

In most cases, the disease is benign. Anyone can get it - adults or children. Vasculitis has a large number of subtypes and classifications; they differ in severity, localization and etiology. Separately, hemorrhagic vasculitis is distinguished, affecting the vessels of the skin, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and joints.

Causes of vasculitis

What kind of disease is this, and what are the causes of vasculitis: the main cause of this disease is inflammation of the walls of blood vessels. Most often, vasculitis occurs on the legs, treatment of which must begin in a timely manner.

1. The etiology of primary vasculitis has not yet been precisely established. The main possible cause is considered to be autoimmune disorders.
2. Secondary vasculitis can manifest itself against the background of chronic, acute infections, vaccinations, cancer, severe overheating or cooling, thermal skin lesions, incl. .

Often the disease occurs due to an allergic reaction to medications. Currently, more than 150 drugs are known, the use of which triggers the development of vasculitis. These drugs include: sulfonamide drugs, radiopaque agents, B vitamins, tuberculostatics, analgesics, iodine preparations, antibiotics, etc. In addition, attention should be paid to allergic manifestations after the administration of certain vaccines and serums. This is especially true for children.

Each of these factors can cause the beginning of the process of changing the antigenic structure of the tissue that forms the basis of the blood vessels. As a result, an autoimmune process will start, in which the body will begin to perceive the body’s own tissues as foreign. As a result, the human immune system begins to attack its own tissues, damaging blood vessels.

Classification

There are a large number of different types of vasculitis, each of which is accompanied by damage to a certain type of vessel and its own specific symptoms. The most common of them.

1. . It occurs with symptoms of superficial vasculitis, characterized by damage to the capillaries of the skin, joints, gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. It is based on increased production of immune complexes, increased vascular permeability and damage to the capillary wall.
2. Systemic – a disease that occurs with damage to large and small blood vessels. Often occurs as an allergy or in response to an infection in the body. Treated with Prednisolone, Pyrazolone, acetylsalicylic acid.
3. Wegener's granulomatosis– vasculitis, which affects small vessels of the upper respiratory tract, lungs and kidneys.
4. Urticarial – can act as an independent ailment of an allergic nature, or as a manifestation of systemic diseases. Externally, urticarial vasculitis is very similar to the manifestation of urticaria, only the blisters with this disease last much longer (1-4 days).
5. Allergic – damage to blood vessels during various allergic reactions.

In addition, vasculitis can be primary - it develops as an independent disease, and secondary - it occurs as a manifestation of another disease.

Symptoms of vasculitis

With vasculitis, symptoms can vary. They depend on the nature of the lesion, the type of vasculitis, the localization of the inflammatory process, as well as the severity of the underlying disease.

If the skin is damaged, a rash appears on its surface. If the nerves are affected, then the person’s sensitivity is lost, worsened or completely disappears. When the blood circulation of the brain is impaired, it occurs.

Common symptoms of vasculitis in adults include weakness and fatigue, loss of appetite, pallor, and more. The first sign of the disease is small, barely noticeable, gradually progressive hemorrhages on the skin, while other manifestations are absent or appear a little later.

Symptoms of damage to the lower extremities:

• rash and hemorrhagic spots;
• blood blisters;
• increased body temperature;
• joint pain or muscle pain;
• weakness;
• itching of the skin in the affected area.

The disease is characterized by a long and chronic course with periodic exacerbations, difficulties in treatment and progression.

Treatment of vasculitis

The treatment of vasculitis, as well as the diagnosis of the disease, should be carried out by a rheumatologist. Only he is able, using the symptoms indicated by the patient, to draw a conclusion about what form of vasculitis is in front of him and prescribe individual treatment.

It is worth considering that almost all types of vasculitis are chronic and progressive, so therapy must be comprehensive and long-term.

To treat vasculitis, drugs are prescribed that suppress the production of antibodies and reduce tissue sensitivity: cytostatics (cyclophosphamide), glucocorticosteroids (prednisolone). Procedures such as hemosorption and plasmapheresis may be prescribed. Antibiotics are the necessary treatment for hemorrhagic vasculitis. Surgical treatment is indicated for patients with obliterating forms of vasculitis, thrombosis of large arteries, and the development of stenosis of the great arteries.

As for primary allergic vasculitis, in most cases it goes away on its own, without requiring absolutely no special treatment. When the disease affects organs important for life (brain, heart, lungs, kidneys), the patient needs intensive and aggressive therapy.

If you want to use any folk remedies for treating vasculitis, you should also discuss them with your doctor.
The prognosis of the disease can be varied. As a rule, vasculitis affects only the skin. But there are also types of disease that can cause serious harm to vital organs and lead to death. In patients with vasculitis without specific treatment with immunosuppressive therapy, the prognosis is not favorable; 5-year survival is 10% of the total number of patients.

Diet for vasculitis

The diet of a patient with vasculitis is compiled taking into account the reasons that led to the development of the disease. First of all, such a diet is aimed at eliminating the possibility of allergic reactions. Therefore, during an exacerbation and for some time after it, the patient must adhere to a strict hypoallergenic diet.

You should not give up eating fresh vegetables, fruits (except for those that provoke allergies), fermented milk products, in particular cottage cheese, dried fruits, and various cereals. For example, some drugs increase blood pressure, which means that the consumption of coffee, fatty meat, canned food, smoked meats, baked goods, and salt should be limited.

The nature of food preparation also matters. During an exacerbation, you should not eat fried foods; it is better to switch to boiled or stewed. In general, the diet for vasculitis should be drawn up based on the form of the disease and the individual characteristics of the body, therefore, when creating a diet plan, it is very important to listen to the opinion of the doctor.

Vasculitis is the name of one of the terrible and unpleasant ailments. You can even say that this is not one, but several diseases combined. Pathological processes affect a variety of vessels of the human body. Veins, arteries, arterioles, venoli, as well as small capillaries are susceptible to the disease. Vasculitis, what kind of disease is this, if we consider it more specifically? Inflammatory processes begin and progress in the vessels. There is a certain list of ailments that can lead to illness. This:

• polyarteritis nodosa;
• the so-called Churg-Strauss syndrome;
• microscopic polyangiitis;
• Kawasaki disease;
• Horton's disease;
• Wegener's granulomatosis, as well as others.

Vasculitis differs in severity and there is a classification. It happens that with this disease the skin suffers the most, which does not look at all aesthetically pleasing, but is unlikely to lead to death. There are types of the disease in which death is very likely.

Types of vasculitis (angiitis) are divided into classes. There are 2 main classes: primary and also secondary. With the primary disease, pathologies of small and large vessels appear as if out of the blue. The person is relatively healthy and adheres to a healthy lifestyle; there are also no allergies. Experts associate the occurrence of this disease with heredity. As for the second class, here the causes of the disease are already clearly visible. The disease may occur due to:

• hypothermia;
• overheating;
• due to infection;
• poisoning;
• skin damage using various methods;
• exposure to toxic substances.

There are not only classes, but also subclasses of the disease. The disease is classified not only by its causes. There is also a classification according to the type of vascular damage, localization, and also according to symptoms. They are distinguished: arteritis, capillaritis, granulomatous eosinophilic vasculitis, phlebitis, arteriolitis. There are also systemic and segmental vasculitis.

Causes of this terrible disease

Unpleasant vasculitis can suddenly strike a person; its causes have not been fully identified. Experts have only identified several popular theories of the occurrence of the disease. Infectious and viral diseases can give impetus to the onset of inflammatory processes in blood vessels. Viral hepatitis is especially dangerous; after it, vascular inflammation is observed most often.

Another popular version of where vasculitis comes from, the causes of its occurrence directly depend on the autoimmune disease, when the body begins to fight against itself. Immune cells, designed to protect the body, cease to normally perceive vascular cells and recognize them as foreign bodies. As a result, inflammatory processes occur. During life, the human body is influenced by many unfavorable factors. People drink contaminated water, eat foods rich in chemical additives, breathe air containing harmful substances, and take medications that are not always suitable for them. All this, together with a genetic predisposition, can cause vasculitis.

Symptoms of the disease

Vasculitis can be recognized at an early stage; its symptoms are a clear sign that should not be ignored. Vasculitis, if secondary, can become a complication of meningitis, typhoid, psoriasis, scarlet fever, cancer.

Regardless of whether a person has a primary or secondary illness, its symptoms will be the same. Adults suddenly lose their appetite and lose weight. Body temperature rises. A person gets tired quickly and constantly experiences weakness. Unsightly rashes appear on the skin. Joint pain constantly haunts me.

Symptoms of vasculitis directly depend on which organ is affected. Palpable purpura is a specific type of rash. It occurs with hemorrhagic vasculitis. The rash is often observed on the elbows, as well as in the lower extremities. In addition to the rash that appears, the person suffers from fever. Vasculitis can affect the vessels that supply internal organs. Then the consequences can be very sad. If the tissues of the heart vessels are inflamed, there is a risk of heart attack. A person suffers from shortness of breath, his heart constantly hurts, and arrhythmia occurs. The disease vasculitis can affect the blood vessels of the brain. This threatens strokes. If a person has been diagnosed with Wegner's Granulomatosis, then the nose will be bothersome. Ulcers will appear on the mucous membrane. Also, I suffer from bloody discharge from the nose with pus.

Diagnosis of a terrible disease

Tests and special studies will help identify a dangerous disease. Diagnosis of vasculitis includes blood and urine tests. It is also necessary to do an angiography, undergo an ultrasound, agree to x-ray methods, with the help of which it will be possible to determine the condition of the affected vessels. If the disease has just begun to develop, then it is not easy to identify it. If the disease is already developing intensively, then it is easier to diagnose it. If several organs are already affected, then the signs will be more obvious. A blood test will reveal a decrease in hematocrit as well as hemoglobin. Thrombocytosis and leukocytosis are moderate.

In the urine of a patient whose vascular tissue is inflamed, doctors will find leukocytes, protein and red blood cells. Doctors use a biopsy to diagnose the disease. To do this, examine a piece of the diseased organ along with the vessels. After the research, it will be possible to say for sure whether a person suffers from vasculitis or not.

Treatment of the disease

Treatment of vasculitis must be timely and thorough. If the disease is advanced, then getting rid of it will be more difficult than at an early stage. What matters is how many organs of the human body are affected and how much they are damaged. If the illness occurs due to an allergy, then it is possible that it will go away on its own. Specialists will not even need to interfere in this process.

Inflammatory processes in blood vessels can disrupt the normal functioning of organs and tissues of the body. It is necessary to eliminate not only vasculitis; treatment is aimed at restoring the lost functions of internal organs. It is necessary to get rid of the serious consequences of inflammation of vascular tissue. Measures are also taken to prevent the return of the disease.

Only an experienced specialist can tell you how to treat vasculitis. Getting rid of it is not the same in all cases; on the contrary, it is often different. Hormone therapy is used. In some cases, chemotherapy is even indicated. Taking glucocorticoids helps get rid of the cause of vasculitis, an autoimmune disease. Hormonal drugs quickly suppress the unjustified activity of the immune system aimed at fighting one’s own body. By eliminating the cause, the inflammation in the blood vessels disappears, and therefore the disease goes away. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is also indicated, thanks to them the person will get rid of severe pain and will also be able to reduce inflammation. Antibiotics are used for hemorrhagic vasculitis. It is also necessary to use blood thinning medications. This will prevent the formation of blood clots.

The disease vasculitis in a complicated form is treated with chemotherapy using cytostatics. Blood purification is necessary. This is achieved using hemosorption, as well as plasmapheresis. A rheumatologist is the first person a patient should contact. But, since vascular disease has many symptoms that can be signs of a variety of pathologies, you will have to get advice from different specialists so that the diagnosis ultimately turns out to be accurate.

Necessary prevention

What is vasculitis? It is better for a person to try to avoid this issue in his life. If you can avoid this pathology, then you won’t have to learn anything about it. It would be better if this issue worries only qualified doctors, but not people working in other workplaces.

It is advisable to engage in the prevention of serious illness. It is worth saying that such preventive techniques will also protect you from other diseases. Prevention will also help prolong a person's life. It is not complicated. You just need to follow simple rules. Although, often people do not find it simple at all.

A person needs to get a good night's sleep. Nutrition should be complete. There is no need to overuse salt or fatty foods. You should also be careful with smoked meats, seasonings containing sodium gluconate, and products rich in synthetic additives.

Moderate physical activity will be very beneficial for a person. If possible, you should harden yourself. You need to start doing this gradually. Don't overdo it. People should avoid high consumption of medications. In case of illness, it is advisable to consult a doctor, but do not use various drugs uncontrollably, guided by dubious considerations. If the disease returns after treatment, then you need to start fighting it as early as possible. A person who has suffered from vascular pathology and overcome it needs to monitor his health and the symptoms that arise again. If necessary, you should not delay going to the doctor. A person needs to follow all preventive measures so as not to ever find out what vasculitis is. Is it possible to cure it? Yes, it is possible, and at the present stage of medical development, curing vasculitis is not a problem.

Disease prognosis

A person, feeling unwell, first goes to a therapist. The doctor will most likely refer the patient to other specialists: an ophthalmologist, a neurologist, a rheumatologist, a cardiologist, a dermatologist, an otolaryngologist. After identifying vascular pathology, the patient may be admitted to a hospital. Treatment is unlikely to be quick. Medications and ointments are used to achieve a lasting effect. It is necessary to take into account the dangers of vasculitis. The pathology will not go away on its own. Serious consequences occur with hemorrhagic vasculitis. Pathological changes are observed in small vessels of the kidneys, intestines, joints, and skin. As for the damage to the latter, that is, joints and skin, you can get rid of the pathology in 1-2 months. There should be no special complications. But damage to internal organs threatens consequences.

Peritonitis and bleeding may occur in the intestine. Many years ago, mortality from the disease was high. Today, we have learned to deal with hemorrhagic vasculitis very successfully. The number of deaths from pathology has decreased markedly.

If the vessels of the kidneys are affected, then with the development of the disease signs of glomerulonephritis appear. The symptoms do not bother the person much. This makes the disease even more dangerous. Kidney functions decline over time and, which is very unpleasant, they can no longer be restored. Persistent renal failure develops. This leads to people becoming dependent on hemodialysis. They will no longer be able to live without constant use of the device.

Treatment of a patient with vasculitis should be individualized. Correct diagnosis is very important. It will allow you to immediately prescribe effective treatment and block the development of pathology.

Even if the pathology is quite advanced, it can still be treated. The functions of internal organs can be restored. But vasculitis should not be underestimated. They are classified as severe pathologies. The result of ineffective treatment or its complete absence can be the death of the patient.

Video about vasculitis

Is vasculitis a harmless pathology or a dangerous disease that requires medical intervention and comprehensive treatment? We will talk in more detail about the causes of the development of the disease, its types and forms, symptoms, methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention in our article.

What it is?

This is a dangerous and very unpleasant disease that is difficult to treat.

Reasons for development

The exact causes of the disease are not reliably known. The disease can suddenly appear even in a healthy person. Official medicine puts forward several basic theories regarding the causes of the development of vasculitis.

In 90% of cases, the disease occurs against the background of another infectious or viral disease. Viruses and bacteria give a powerful impetus to the development of inflammation in the vascular system of the body.

The most dangerous from the point of view of the possibility of developing vasculitis is viral hepatitis. It is after this disease that inflammatory processes in blood vessels occur most often.

Predisposing factors

The most common predisposing factors:

• frequent and prolonged hypothermia;
• negative effects on the body of various toxic substances;
• genetic predisposition;
• weakening of the body's protective functions (reduced immune status);
• hyperactivity of the immune system (as a reaction to infection);
• overheat;
• poisoning;
• skin damage (mechanical, thermal, etc.);
• allergies to certain types of medications;
• diseases and inflammatory processes of the thyroid gland;
• autoimmune diseases;
• complications of diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, reactive arthritis.

Development mechanism

Types, forms, classification

Some forms and types of the disease affect exclusively the skin. Others affect vital organs and cause significant harm to the entire body, in extreme cases leading to death.

• Primary. They are a consequence of inflammation of the walls of the blood vessels themselves. They arise independently and are in no way associated with other pathologies.
• Secondary. They represent the reaction of the vessels themselves to other diseases occurring in the body. Secondary vasculitis is inflammation that occurs against the background of viral or infectious diseases, oncology, or taking certain medications.

Vasculitis of large vessels. We are talking about the following diseases:

• Takayasu arteritis. A pathology of an autoimmune nature, in which the walls of the aorta and its branches are affected by a pronounced inflammatory process. Women suffer from Takayasu's arteritis much more often than men - in a ratio of 8:1.
• Giant cell arteritis. Another pathology of an autoimmune nature, which also affects the aorta and its branches and often occurs against the background of rheumatism. The most common reason for the development of this type of vasculitis is infection of the patient with herpes or hepatitis viruses.

• Kawasaki disease. A disease that occurs in an acute febrile form and most often affects children. The inflammatory process in this type of pathology involves not only large, but also medium-sized vessels - veins and arteries.
• Periarteritis nodosa. An ailment during which inflammation of the walls of small and medium-sized vessels occurs, which provokes more serious diseases and pathologies - myocardial infarction, thrombosis, etc. The most common “culprits” of the pathology are the hepatitis virus, as well as individual intolerance to certain medications.

• Granulomatosis with polyangiitis. A severe autoimmune disease that tends to progress rapidly. Affects capillaries, venules, arterioles. Quite often the lungs, organs of vision, and kidneys are involved in the pathological process.
• Microscopic polyangiitis. A pathology poorly studied by modern medicine. With inflammation of small vessels of this nature, several vital organs are affected at once - most often the kidneys and lungs.
• Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. A disease that occurs when there is an excess amount of eosinophils in the blood, an excess of which leads to the development of severe inflammation in small and medium-sized vessels. In most cases, this disease affects the respiratory organs and kidneys, and the patient suffers from severe shortness of breath, severe runny nose or bronchial asthma.
• Immune complex small vessel vasculitides: immunoglobulin A associated vasculitis, cryoglobulinemic vasculitis, anti-GBM disease.

• Behçet's disease. The pathology manifests itself by the frequent appearance of ulcers on the surface of the mucous membranes (in the mouth, in the genital area, on the gastric mucosa, etc.).
• Cogan's syndrome.

Symptoms

Regardless of the form and type, most vasculitis occurs with similar symptoms. The most characteristic symptoms of the pathology:

• loss of appetite followed by weight loss;
• decrease in body temperature;
• the appearance of unsightly rashes on the skin;
• constant persistent pain in the joints;
• pale skin;
• fatigue, weakness, malaise;
• frequent sinusitis;
• regular exacerbations of heart and vascular diseases;
• nausea and vomiting;
• sensitivity disorders - from minimal to pronounced;
• myalgia and arthralgia.

In children

In minor patients, the disease affects the joints, gastrointestinal tract, small vessels of the epidermis, and kidneys.

Diagnostics

• a general blood and urine test (allows you to confirm or refute the presence of an inflammatory process in the body);
• biochemical blood test (with the development of vasculitis, it determines a decrease in hemoglobin, moderate thrombocytosis, leukocytosis and hematocrit);
• angiography;
• ECHO-cardiography;
• Ultrasound of the heart, kidneys, abdominal organs.

Vasculitis is most difficult to diagnose in the early stages, when the disease does not have pronounced symptoms. With the intensive development of the disease, it is much easier to determine it. More obvious signs appear only when several organs are affected at once.

In the most severe cases, to diagnose the disease, a biopsy of the affected tissue is performed, followed by a detailed examination.

Treatment

When treating pathologies with severe symptoms, an integrated approach is required. Only complex therapy will quickly relieve the unpleasant symptoms of the disease, improve the patient’s condition and avoid serious complications.

Any type of treatment for vasculitis should be agreed with the attending physician and carried out only after a comprehensive diagnosis and diagnosis.

Drug treatment

• eliminating pathological reactions from the immune system that underlie the disease;
• prolongation of periods of stable remission;
• therapy for relapses of pathology;
• preventing the occurrence of secondary ailments and complications.

• Glucocorticoids. A special group of hormonal drugs that have a pronounced effect: antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, immunoregulatory and some others.
  Taking the drugs has high rates of therapeutic effectiveness and provides longer and more stable periods of remission. The most popular and frequently used glucocorticoids for vasculitis are Hydrocortisone and Prednisolone.
• Cytostatics. Medicines that slow down the growth and division of all cells in the body, including tumor cells. Taking medications in this series is especially effective for vasculitis accompanied by kidney damage. For systemic vasculitis, simultaneous administration of glucocorticoids and cytostatics ensures the fastest possible relief of pathological symptoms and improvement of the condition.
  The average course of taking cytostatics for vasculitis is from 3 to 12 months. Common cytostatics recommended for use for vasculitis are Doxorubicin, Methotrexate, Cyclophosphamide, etc.
• Monoclonal antibodies. A special type of antibody produced by the body's immune system. Drugs from this category are indicated for patients who, for one reason or another, cannot undergo cytostatic therapy.
  Medicines in this series have their own contraindications for use. The main one is viral hepatitis B. The most popular monoclonal antibodies among doctors to prescribe are Rituximab.
• Immunosuppressants. Drugs that are used as part of complex therapy together with glucocorticoids and provide an inhibitory effect on the immune system. Azathioprine and Leflunomide are the most popular drugs in this series.
• Human immunoglobulins. Medicines that are most effective for severe infectious lesions of the kidneys and other organs, hemorrhagic alveolitis.
• Anti-infectives. Used in case of development of vasculitis against the background of diseases and pathologies of an infectious nature of bacterial origin.
  Viral lesions are treated with antiviral medications - Interferon, Lamivudine. Viral hepatitis is treated with drugs based on the type of hepatitis virus.
• Anti-intoxication therapy. The main purpose of its implementation is to remove toxins from the body. For binding, popular absorbent preparations are used - Atoxil, Enterosgel.
• NSAIDs. They are used in the case of thrombophlebitis with nodular forms of vasculitis, persistent inflammatory processes, and extensive necrotic foci. Ibuprofen, Indomethacin, Acetylsalicylic acid are the most popular and frequently prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with high rates of effectiveness.
• Anticoagulants. Indicated for use by patients with a tendency to thrombosis. Drugs in this category prevent the formation of blood clots in blood vessels, improve circulatory processes, normalizing blood flow in the bloodstream. Coagulants effective for vasculitis are Heparin and Warfarin.
• Antihistamines. Antiallergic drugs are prescribed when allergic reactions occur - food or drug allergies. Tavegil, Claritin, Diazolin are relatively inexpensive, but quite effective antihistamines.

For certain indications, ACE inhibitors and vasodilators can be used for vasculitis.

In patients with areas of necrosis on the skin, as well as ulcers, regular dressings with the use of local antiseptic drugs, as well as ointments that accelerate epithelialization processes are indicated.

Non-drug therapy

• Hemocorrection. Provides for purification of the patient's blood using a special sorbent. Blood is drawn using a venous catheter. Afterwards, the blood is passed through a special apparatus, which introduces an absorbent component into it. The blood then returns to the bloodstream. At the same time, the sorbent does its job - cleanses the blood and its components, improves blood circulation and tissue nutrition.
• Immunosorption. A procedure during which the patient’s blood is passed through a device filled with immunosorbent. It is this substance that binds antibodies produced by the immune system, which provoke vascular damage.
• Plasmapheresis. A special method of purifying blood plasma using a special centrifuge. The procedure has a beneficial effect on the condition of blood vessels, reduces the severity of inflammation, and also prevents the risk of developing renal failure, and generally improves kidney function.

Diet

• milk and eggs;
• seafood;
• strawberries and wild strawberries;
• mango, bananas, citrus fruits;
• some vegetables - bell peppers, carrots, tomatoes;
• canned food;
• chocolate;
• baked goods;
• products to which the patient has an individual intolerance.

Preventive actions

Basic preventive measures:

• minimizing stress;
• rational and proper nutrition with the exclusion of harmful foods from the diet;
• maintaining body weight within normal limits;
• refusal of any self-medication - taking medications without a doctor’s prescription;
• timely treatment of emerging diseases to avoid the transition of ailments to a chronic form;
• maintaining an active lifestyle;
• giving up bad habits - alcohol, smoking, etc.;
• eating a large amount of foods rich in vitamins, minerals, micro- and macroelements.

Possible complications

• partial or complete loss of vision;
• stroke or heart attack;
• kidney necrosis;
• coronary heart disease.

Forecast

If the disease is ignored, there is a high probability of severe damage to internal organs and death.

Just 10-15 years ago, mortality rates for vasculitis were quite high. In recent years, the number of deaths among patients with this pathology has decreased significantly.

Even when treated for vasculitis in the later stages, the disease is curable, and dysfunction of internal organs is usually recoverable.

In general, vasculitis belongs to the category of dangerous pathologies that require complex diagnostics and individually selected treatment. Establishing a correct diagnosis and adequate therapy quickly blocks the pathology, provides a cure - complete or temporary, and reduces the likelihood of severe complications and death.