Home Articles Diseases and Ailments

 The term Vasculitis stands for inflammation in the blood vessels. Lupus vasculitis can be described as one of the many side effects that could occur, because of the chronic inflammatory disease called lupus. This problem takes place when your white blood cells attack the small and large blood cells in your body, causing an inflammation. This in turn could trigger various side effects, ranging from a minor skin blemish to serious tissue and organ damage. Therefore, vasculitis in lupus could mean several different things for different people. For some, it may be no more than a diagnosis of the condition, causing no further problems. In others, vasculitis may change the course of lupus, posing as a serious complication.
 
Vasculitis generally occurs when the antigens in your body trigger off an allergic reaction within the walls of the blood vessels. The antibodies that are then created, bond to the antigen and attract white blood cells to the afflicted area. The inflammation occurs when the white blood cells accumulate in the blood vessel to destroy the antigens.

The signs and symptoms of vasculitis in lupus may vary, depending on the severity of the inflammation as well as its location. Given below are some of the symptoms that could occur due to vasculitis:

• Appearance of reddish or purplish dots on the skin
• Changes in vision
• Pain and stiffness in the joints
• Fever
• Muscle pain
  

It is important that you consult a doctor as soon as you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above. Like the symptoms, the effects of lupus vasculitis may vary for different individuals. However, it is best to get the condition checked and treated at the earliest, as it could lead to:

• Reduced blood flow to certain areas, especially the fingers and toes
• Formation of blood clots
• Gangrene
• Loss of vision
• Severe headaches
• Seizures
• Strokes
• Arthritis
  

The treatment for vasculitis in lupus generally includes corticosteroids. In case the condition is more serious, your doctor may supplement the treatment with cytotoxic drugs.

Lupus Arthritis

Lupus arthritis is one of the most commonly occurring causes for joint pain in those patients who are already suffering from lupus. Data shows that around 35% of all individuals with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus develop lupus arthritis.

This disease generally results in pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. Though it can be a very painful condition, it does not cause permanent deformity or damage to the joints. Some of the common sites that are affected by lupus arthritis include wrists, fingers, elbows, toes, ankles, feet and knees.

The treatment for lupus arthritis is quite similar to the treatment for lupus, involving a combination of corticosteroids, NSAIDs and antimalarial drugs. Patients are also advised to undergo physical therapy and include low-impact exercises like swimming or walking in their daily routine.

References

1. http://www.hss.edu/conditions_lupus-vasculitis-blocked-blood-vessels.asp

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

 More articles from the Diseases and Ailments Category