Varicose Veins & Vasculitis
Varicose veins are damaged, swollen, blood-filled veins just below the skin’s surface. Vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels affecting the veins, arteries or capillaries. For a Spanish-language version of the Guide, click here.
Expand All Guide SectionsVaricose Veins
Small varicose veins that have a deep bluish-purple coloration and spread out in a manner ... read more »
Vasculitis
Inflammation can cause the walls of blood vessels to thicken, reducing the amount of nutrients the body’s tissues receive. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are many different types of vasculitis, and though rare, the ailment can affect anyone. If identified early, vasculitis can usually be treated.
Dulcinea's Insight
- The treatment of vasculitis varies depending on the specific type of vasculitis, the severity of the illness, and the organs it affects. Treatments typically aim to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. “Typically, cortisone-related medications, such as prednisone, are used. Additionally, other immune suppression drugs, such as cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) and others, are considered,” according to MedicineNet.
Dulcinea's Picks
For overviews …
MedlinePlus
has a 53-slide tutorial that uses animations and narration to describe vasculitis’s causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Mayo Clinic
has an introduction to vasculitis with information on 14 different varieties including Kawasaki disease, polyarteritis nodosa and rheumatoid vasculitis.
For different types of vasculitis …
The Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center
Web site has pages with detailed information on the specific types of vasculitis under the “Types of Vasculitis” link at the top of the homepage. An example is its page on Buerger’s disease, which is accompanied by photographs of the patient’s gangrenous fingertips.
For organizations …
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
is a federation of voluntary healthcare organizations dedicated to assisting those suffering from rare disorders. The organization is dedicated to identification, treatment and working toward a cure.
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