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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. |
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Our Coming Events!
GENERAL MEETING - We will be holding our next Vasculitis meeting on April 10, 2010 from 11:00am - 4:00pm in Cambridge, Ontario. At the meeting the guest speaker will be Dr. Khalid, who will be speaking on Vasculitis and how it attacks our bodies. She is from the reknowned St. Joseph's Hospital in Hamilton. Come join us and learn about the possiblities of how vasculitis disease can affect your body in various ways. We will be having basket draws, plus other give aways and prizes. Get involved and meet new friends and share your experiences with others who understand about your disease. Your registration will also include a hot roastbeef lunch with all the trimmings, don't be left out book early.
Also click on our current events at the top of the page (in black) for other up coming events in your area.
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Sharon - Takayasu’s Arteritis |
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In November of 1980, at the age of 30, my husband and I were busy with some home decorating. The project required me to keep my arms above my head for a few minutes at a time. When elevated, my left arm would ache and my hand would become cold, but the pain would be relieved by returning my arm to a resting position. About three weeks into the project, I said to my husband that it felt like my arm was not getting enough blood circulation. He felt for a pulse, but was not able to get one in my left wrist. The next morning I went to my family doctor who sent me to see a vascular surgeon at the hospital emergency department. The surgeon said there was still circulation, although greatly reduced. |
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Vasculitis Featured on the News. Updated Wed. Mar. 11 2009 6:36 AM ET Vasculitis is a chronic condition where the vessels that carry blood to your major organs get inflamed, causing many problems and complications. What you may not know about this rare condition, a nation-wide support group is based out of Cambridge.  Southwestern Ontario... |
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Volunteers are our Greatest Assets Vasculitis Foundation Canada is made up strictly of volunteers. They give so much of their energy and time while most are still having to deal with their own form of Vasculitis. From the onset, the running of a support group has to be a group project. When we began in 1998 with not-for-profit status, our goal was to reach out to the unknown patients and families who knew the challenge of a rare disease, Wegener’s Granulomatosis. Resources were the determination and strength of a handful of volunteers. The talents of each were brought to bear and the outreach plan was launched. |
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