Vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels, arteries, veins, or capillaries.

This inflammation causes a weakening and narrowing of the blood vessel walls that deprives affected tissues and organs of blood supply resulting in tissue or organ damage. It is also considered an autoimmune disease.  An autoimmune disease occurs when the body mistakes its own cells for foreign invaders and produces antibodies to attack the perceived invaders as a defense against infection. Vasculitis Foundation Canada represents a family of 15 rare diseases.

Vasculitis can affect any blood vessel or organ in the body. Signs and symptoms of Vasculitis varies widely in type and severity.  Some are specific to a particular organ and others are non specific causing general aches, pains and fatigue. Organ systems affected include the skin, joints, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, blood, eyes, brain, nerves, sinuses, nose and ears. Its cause is unknown. It affects people of all ages, gender, race and nationalities. Some types of Vasculitis are more likely to occur in certain populations than others.

Early diagnosis is critical. Vasculitis can be treated with prescription medications with the goal of stopping the inflammation and relieving the symptoms. Corticosteroid medication and cytotoxic medicines are the drugs that are commonly prescribed. There is no known cure for Vasculitis and its course varies from person to person. Some people go into remission. For others, the disease remains chronic with recurring relapses. In rare cases, Vasculitis causes severe disability or death.