Some of the most common vasculitis symptoms include a constant feeling of tiredness, fever, and loss of appetite. Over time, the condition may result in weight loss. Other symptoms depend on which part of the body the condition affects. For example, vasculitis symptoms that affect the skin can include bruises and red spots. Symptoms affecting the lungs include a feeling of short breath and, in some cases, coughing up blood. Other areas of the body that can be affected by the condition include the joints, kidneys, eyes, and brain.
There are a number of vasculitis symptoms that affect the body as a whole. For example, a person may feel constant aching throughout the body. A fever which lasts for longer than normal may be another symptom. A person with this condition may find it difficult to sleep and will often lose his or her appetite.
Vasculitis is a condition that affects the blood vessels. If the body’s immune system begins to attack the vessels, then they can become inflamed. The condition can occur in any of the blood vessels, which is why symptoms may vary depending on the organs that are involved. Which organs are affected will also determine the severity of the condition.
A common location where vasculitis can occur is the joints. Symptoms include pain and aching from within the joint. In some cases, vasculitis can also cause arthritis.
Vasculitis of the kidneys is often a more serious problem, because symptoms usually don’t appear until damage to the organ has occurred. Some vasculitis symptoms that may affect the kidney include an increased amount of red blood cells and decreased amount of protein in urine. The person suffering from vasculitis may also have difficulty in passing urine.
Eyes can also be affected by vasculitis. If there is swelling of the eye’s blood vessels, then symptoms include itching, blurring of vision, and an increased sensitivity to light. In some cases, vasculitis can cause blindness, but this is uncommon. Conjunctivitis is another symptom.
One of the most serious places that can be affected by vasculitis is the brain. Swelling of blood vessels in the brain can lead to minor symptoms such as headaches or major ones such as strokes. A person with brain vasculitis may also find it difficult to perform tasks that require a large amount of coordination.
Other areas that are commonly affected by vasculitis symptoms include the nose, ears, and sinuses. This may lead to symptoms of a common infection, but over an extended period of time. The condition can also affect the nerves, which can cause pain and weakness in certain muscles of the body. Lung vasculitis can cause issues with breathing, while if the condition affects the skin then it can cause discoloring. Skin vasculitis often disappears over time naturally, however, and is usually one of the least severe types.