by Ron Kennedy, M.D., Santa Rosa, CA
Angiitis is a rare inflammation of the blood vessels. There is a group of diseases that involve angiitis representing many different conditions. The actual cause of these conditions is usually not known, however, immune system abnormality is a common feature. Examples of angiitis include Kawasaki disease, Behcet's disease, polyarteritis nodosa, and Wegener's granulomatosis. Angiitis can also accompany infections (such as hepatitis B), exposure to chemicals (such as amphetamines and cocaine), cancers (such as lymphomas and multiple myeloma), and rheumatic diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus). The word angiitis is derived from the Greek "a[n]geion", vessel + "-itis", inflammation. Another term for angiitis is vasculitis.
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The information in this article is not meant to be medical advice. Treatment for a medical condition should come at the recommendation of your personal physician.