Systemic vasculitis
Systemic Vasculitis
Systemic vasculitis (pronounced: sis-tem-ik vas-kyu-li-tis) is a type of vasculitis that affects multiple organ systems in the body. The term originates from the Greek words "systema" meaning "whole" and "vasculum" meaning "small vessel".
Definition
Systemic vasculitis is a condition characterized by inflammation and damage to the walls of various blood vessels in the body. The inflammation can affect any size of blood vessel, from small capillaries to large arteries and veins, and can occur anywhere in the body, hence the term "systemic".
Symptoms
The symptoms of systemic vasculitis can vary widely, depending on which blood vessels are affected and what organs are involved. Common symptoms may include fatigue, fever, weight loss, muscle and joint pain, and nerve problems. More specific symptoms can occur if certain organs, such as the kidneys, lungs, or heart, are affected.
Causes
The exact cause of systemic vasculitis is unknown, but it is thought to involve an abnormal response of the immune system. Certain infections, medications, and diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, can trigger this abnormal response.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of systemic vasculitis typically involves a combination of physical examination, medical history, laboratory tests, and imaging studies. A biopsy of an affected organ or blood vessel may also be performed.
Treatment
Treatment for systemic vasculitis generally involves medications to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system, such as corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to repair damaged blood vessels.
Related Terms
- Vasculitis: General term for inflammation of the blood vessels.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: A chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints, including those in the hands and feet.
- Lupus: An inflammatory disease caused when the immune system attacks its own tissues.
- Corticosteroids: A class of drugs used to reduce inflammation in the body.
- Immunosuppressive drugs: Medications that reduce the body's immune response.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Systemic vasculitis
- Wikipedia's article - Systemic vasculitis
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski