Granulomatosis Wegener (Chest, Heart, Lungs)

Description

Wegener's granulomatosis is a common disorder that causes inflammation of blood vessels. This inflammation restricts blood flow to various organs.

Wegener's granulomatosis, which is also called granulomatosis with polyangiitis, often affecting the kidneys, lungs and upper respiratory tract. Limited blood flow to these organs can damage and can affect other organs, but generally not so serious.

Wegener's granulomatosis is also producing the type of inflammatory tissue known as granulomas are found around blood vessels. Granulomas can damage normal tissue.

Causes

Cause of Wegener's granulomatosis is unknown. Appeared to develop after the initial trigger inflammation causes an abnormal reaction of the immune system. The combination of these events can lead to inflammation, constrict blood vessels and cause tissue inflammation dangerous (granuloma).

Events that may trigger an infection, but no specific infection has been identified as the cause.

Symptom

Signs and symptoms of Wegener's granulomatosis can occur suddenly or over several months, which usually involves an area of ​​the respiratory tract, such as sinus or throat lungs. However, these conditions often deteriorate rapidly, which affects the blood vessels and organs, such as kidneys. Signs and symptoms may include:

1. Constantly runny nose, sometimes with pus

2. nosebleed

3. Pain and inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis)

4. ear infections

5. cough

6. chest pain 7. Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)

8. shortness of breath

9. Weight loss suddenly

10. Pain and swelling

11. Blood in the urine (hematuria)

12. skin wounds

13. Eye redness, burning or pain

14. fever

Treatment

With early diagnosis and proper treatment, you can recover from Wegener's granulomatosis in a few months. Maintenance therapy often needs to be continued for 18 to 24 months.

In some cases, longer treatment may be required. Because the disease can recur, doctors will constantly monitor your condition closely after treatment.

1. Drugs

Your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids, immune system-suppressing drugs, and biologic therapy with Rituximab (Rituxan).

2. plasmapheresis

Also known as plasma exchange, this treatment removes the liquid portion of blood (plasma) and separated from the blood cells. Blood cells are then put back into your body, and your body to produce new plasma to make up for what has been removed.

3. operation

If you have kidney failure as a result of Wegener's granulomatosis, you may need a kidney transplant to restore normal kidney function.

Sources: mayoclinic

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