Best Doctors for Vasculitis in Chennai

Types/Stages of Vasculitis

Vasculitis manifests in different forms depending on the size and location of the affected blood vessels:

• Giant cell arteritis: Predominantly seen in older adults, it targets large arteries such as those in the head, potentially leading to blindness if left untreated due to impaired blood flow to the eyes.

• Polyarteritis nodosa: This type affects medium-sized arteries, causing symptoms like persistent fever, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and sometimes abdominal pain due to organ involvement.

• Kawasaki disease: This type primarily affects children and leads to inflammation in medium-sized arteries, particularly the coronary arteries.

• Takayasu arteritis: It affects the aorta and its major branches, leading to symptoms like fever, fatigue, weight loss, and joint and muscle pain, often resulting in reduced blood flow to organs and limbs.

Symptoms of Vasculitis

The symptoms of vasculitis vary depending on the organs or systems affected:

• Fever

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Weight loss

• Difficulty breathing

• Chest pain

• Headache

• Impaired vision

• Pain, stiffness, and numbness

• Abdominal pain

• Bloody stools

Tests to Diagnose Vasculitis

Diagnosing vasculitis involves a combination of physical exams and advanced diagnostic tests performed by the best doctors specialising in vasculitis treatment:

• Physical examination and health history: The doctor conducts a thorough examination to assess symptoms such as fever, joint pain, skin changes, or other signs of systemic inflammation

• Blood and laboratory tests: These may include markers of inflammation such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), as well as specific antibodies that can indicate autoimmune causes.

• Biopsy: A small sample of tissue, often from the affected blood vessel or organ, is examined under a microscope to detect signs of inflammation.

• Imaging: Ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans may be used to visualise the affected blood vessels and assess the extent of inflammation or damage.

• Angiography: This involves injecting a contrast dye into the blood vessels and taking X-ray images to visualise the blood flow and detect abnormalities in the blood vessels.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Vasculitis at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai

The best specialists adept at treating vasculitis at Apollo Hospitals employ a comprehensive approach to manage this complex condition efficiently:

• Immunosuppressive drugs: Medications like cyclophosphamide and azathioprine control inflammation by suppressing the immune system activity.

• Steroids: Powerful anti-inflammatory medications like corticosteroids help reduce inflammation and swelling associated with vasculitis.

• Biological therapies: Remedies like Rituximab target and deplete B cells in the immune system, which play a role in autoimmune diseases like vasculitis.

• Surgical options: In severe cases, procedures like angioplasty, stenting, or surgical resection may be considered.