Vasculitis is commonly referred to as a blood inflammation disease that affects the blood vessels in circulation. The red blood cells carry freshly oxygenated blood from the lungs, pumped by the heart, to all organs and extremities of the body. Inflammation of these healthy vessels can result in blockages, causing circulation to drop. Vasculitis can affect one or multiple organs, depending on the type of inflammation and the intensity of the disease’s progression.

Here are the five most common symptoms to look out for early on:

1. Breathing difficulties
When vasculitis develops in the lungs, it can cause cavities to manifest in the healthy tissue and affect respiratory function. As a result, one might experience pneumonia-like symptoms, including breathlessness, which worsen with any physical activity. Some people even develop a bloody cough triggered by internal lung bleeding caused primarily by tissue damage.

2. Pain and numbness
Vasculitis can also spread and affect the peripheral nerves, causing shooting pains in the body’s extremities connected to the arms and legs. This is often simultaneous with numbness and a sensation of tingling that develop in these regions. Inflammation of the blood vessels will also cause pain under the skin’s surface.

3. Fatigue and weakness
Some people also complain of weakness that develops only on one side of the body, along with fatigue that is prevalent with the progression of inflammation in the blood vessels. Many people experience a general feeling of sickness as their immunity is compromised due to the progression of these symptoms.

4. Joint problems
Vasculitis also develops and spreads, affecting vital joints. Inflammation of the blood vessels in and around the joints can trigger sharp bouts of pain and make it difficult for a person to go about their daily routine. The intensity of the pain will vary depending on the severity of the inflammation and the underlying cause of flare-ups in that region.

5. Kidney problems
Blood flows through the kidneys so that the organ can remove toxins from the circulation. This is a continuous, uninterrupted function. However, inflammation of the blood vessels can cause complications to develop in this function and, as a result, affect the efficacy of the organ. Clumps of inflamed blood vessels that accumulate inside the organ increase the risk of kidney failure among high-risk patients. Noticing blood in the urine is a clear sign of developing kidney problems due to vasculitis.

Apart from the common symptoms, many people develop low red blood cell counts caused by anemia, experience rapid changes in their physical stature, and are also at risk of developing cognitive problems.