Best Vasculitis Doctors in Kolkata

Vasculitis encompasses a range of conditions characterised by inflammation in blood vessels, which can impair blood flow and harm organs and tissues. Various triggers include infections, autoimmune disorders, inflammatory conditions, and exposure to certain chemicals or medications. Left untreated, vasculitis can pose serious health risks, potentially affecting vital organs and leading to life-threatening complications.

In Kolkata, the best specialists in vasculitis are well-versed in diagnosing and managing this condition. Among them are some of India's best doctors specialising in vasculitis treatment who utilise advanced technologies and treatment strategies to combat this challenging disease.

Types/Stages of Vasculitis

Vasculitis encompasses several types, each affecting different sizes and locations of blood vessels, such as:

• Giant cell arteritis: This primarily affects large and medium-sized arteries in older adults, particularly those in the head and neck. If not treated, it can result in vision loss or blindness.

• Polyarteritis nodosa: This typically affects medium-sized arteries, leading to systemic symptoms such as fever, fatigue, weight loss, and muscle or joint pain.

• Kawasaki disease: This primarily affects young children, causing inflammation in medium-sized arteries, particularly the coronary arteries.

• Takayasu arteritis: This type targets the large arteries, especially the aorta and its major branches, causing symptoms like fatigue, fever, weight loss, and muscle or joint pain.

Symptoms of Vasculitis

Symptoms in patients with vasculitis can vary, but commonly include:

• Persistent fever and generalised body pain

• Severe headaches accompanied by impaired vision

• Chest pain

• Fatigue, dizziness, or lightheadedness

• Discolouration, numbness, or weakness in the limbs

• Skin rash or ulcers

Tests to Diagnose Vasculitis

The best doctors specialising in vasculitis treatment identify vasculitis with a variety of diagnostic techniques, such as:

• Comprehensive physical examination: This involves a thorough review of the patient's medical history, and symptoms, and a detailed assessment of the affected areas, including skin, joints, and organs.

• Blood and laboratory tests: These tests may include checking for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), other specific markers of inflammation, and autoimmune diseases.

• Biopsy: A small sample of tissue from the affected blood vessel or organ is taken for microscopic examination to confirm the presence and type of vasculitis and assess the extent of tissue damage.

• Imaging: Techniques like ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans are used to visualise the affected blood vessels, detect any abnormalities, and evaluate the extent of damage to organs or tissues.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Vasculitis at Apollo Hospitals, Kolkata

At Apollo Hospitals in Kolkata, the best specialists treating vasculitis offer various treatment and surgical options, including:

• Immunosuppressive drugs: Medications such as cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, methotrexate, and mycophenolate work by suppressing the immune system to control inflammation in vasculitis.

• Steroids: Corticosteroids like prednisone are commonly used in vasculitis to reduce inflammation and swelling.

• Biological therapies: Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody therapy that targets specific immune cells involved in causing vasculitis. It is used to induce remission in certain types of vasculitis

• Surgical options: In severe cases, where blood vessel damage is significant, surgical interventions like angioplasty (to widen narrowed blood vessels), stenting (to keep blood vessels open), or surgical resection (to remove damaged tissue) may be necessary to restore blood flow and prevent complications.