Vasculitis refers to a group of rare diseases characterized by inflammation of the blood vessels. This inflammation can restrict blood flow to organs and tissues, causing serious damage if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Dr. Adam Elisha, DO, is a board-certified rheumatologist in Duluth, MN with specialized training in vasculitis and other systemic inflammatory diseases.
What Is Vasculitis?
Vasculitis is not a single disease — it is a family of related conditions, each classified by the size of blood vessels primarily affected (large, medium, or small vessel) and by specific clinical features. Some forms of vasculitis affect only one organ (such as the skin), while others are systemic and can involve multiple organ systems simultaneously.
Types of Vasculitis
Common forms of vasculitis managed by rheumatologists include:
- Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA): The most common form of vasculitis in adults over 50, affecting large arteries including those supplying the head. Symptoms include new-onset severe headache, jaw pain with chewing, scalp tenderness, and vision loss — a medical emergency.
- Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA / Wegener’s): A small-vessel vasculitis affecting the upper airways, lungs, and kidneys. Symptoms include chronic sinusitis, nosebleeds, cough, and blood in the urine.
- Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA / Churg-Strauss): Associated with asthma and elevated eosinophils, affecting small and medium vessels.
- Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA): A small-vessel vasculitis commonly causing kidney inflammation and lung involvement.
- Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN): A medium-vessel vasculitis that can affect the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, peripheral nerves, and skin.
- IgA Vasculitis (Henoch-Schönlein Purpura): Characterized by palpable purpura (a rash), joint pain, abdominal pain, and kidney involvement; most common in children but also occurs in adults.
Symptoms of Vasculitis
Symptoms vary by type and organs involved, but general warning signs include persistent fever, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, skin rashes (particularly palpable purpura or ulcers), nerve pain or numbness, blood in the urine, shortness of breath, and new-onset headaches. Any sudden vision changes in a person over 50 with jaw pain or scalp tenderness should be evaluated urgently for giant cell arteritis.
Diagnosing and Treating Vasculitis
Diagnosing vasculitis requires a combination of clinical assessment, laboratory testing (including ANCA antibodies, inflammatory markers, and urinalysis), imaging studies, and in many cases tissue biopsy. Treatment typically involves corticosteroids to control acute inflammation, followed by steroid-sparing immunosuppressive agents such as rituximab, methotrexate, azathioprine, or cyclophosphamide depending on the type and severity of vasculitis.
Vasculitis Care in Duluth, MN
Vasculitis is rare and complex — it demands care from a rheumatologist with experience managing these conditions. Dr. Adam Elisha at St. Luke’s Rheumatology Associates in Duluth sees patients with all forms of vasculitis, providing thorough evaluation, accurate diagnosis, and individualized treatment plans. Call (218) 249-6960 to schedule an appointment.