Vasculitis
Vasculitis is the inflammation of blood vessels - arteries and smaller vessels - in association with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosis, or as one of a number of conditions affecting the vessels themselves. These include Henoch-Schönlein Purpura, causing rashes and fever in children, and Kawasaki disease, again affecting children and sometimes involving the coronary arteries, where there may be aneurysm formation. Aspirin therapy may be life saving. Giant Cell Arteritis, often in association with Polymyalgia Rheumatica affects older people.
There may be inflammation of the arteries in the scalp, producing severe headache, with a risk of blindness. Steroid therapy is effective, but may need to be prolonged. In Polyarteritis Nodosa the vessel inflammation produces nodules. Any part of the body, or any organ, may be affected. What triggers the immune system to attack the blood vessels is unknown.
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