Wegener's Granulomatosis: a Rare and Serious Condition

Wegener's Granulomatosis is an uncommon condition that causes inflammation in the small arteries and veins throughout the body. The inflammation normally affects the kidneys, lungs, and upper respiratory tract, and nasal passages. Although Wegener's Granulomatosis normally affects all of these areas of the body, there are times when it only affects one or two areas.

The cause of Wegener's Granulomatosis is not known; but, it is not an infection or cancer. Wegener's Granulomatosis usually effects young or middle-aged adults; those who are between 30 and 50 years old. It does not normally affect children, but can affect people of all ages. White people are most likely to develop the disease.

Signs and symptoms of Wegener's Granulomatosis usually begin with problems in the respiratory tract. The condition often progresses quickly and begins to affect the blood vessels and organs that those vessels supply with blood. A person may begin to run a fever, be fatigued, have shortness of breath, blood in their sputum, pain in their joints, and inflammation in their sinuses. Nosebleeds, ear infections, a cough, loss of appetite, sores on the skin, redness, burning, or pain in the eyes, double vision, decreases vision, and a general sick feeling are also signs and symptoms. This disease can effect many areas of the body and cause many complications.

Hearing loss can occur because of the inflammation to the tissue in the middle ear. Scars on the skin can occur because of skin sores that may occur. Heart attack may occur because of the effects on the arteries of the heart. A kidney disease known as glomerulonephritis, which affects the kidney's ability to remove waste and excess fluid from the body can also occur. Over time, this condition can lead to a build-up of waste in the blood. Kidney failure is the leading cause of death for those who die from Wegener's Granulomatosis.

When Wegener's Granulomatosis involves a person's kidneys, sometimes, symptoms do not show up early on it the disease. In theses cases, it can only be detected in blood and urine tests. If not detected early enough, kidney failure due to anemia can happen.

To diagnose Wegener's Granulomatosis, a doctor must do lab tests. Urine and blood are both tested to determine any abnormal inflammation and anemia. X-rays are done of the chest and sinuses to check for any abnormalities that are caused by inflammation of the lungs and sinuses. To confirm the condition, biopsies are done on the inflamed tissue to be certain that there are both granulomas (abnormal, non-cancerous tissue growths) and vasculitis (inflammation of the veins and arteries) in that area. Common areas of biopsy are the lungs and kidneys because these are two areas that are commonly affected.

Treatment for Wegener's Granulomatosis is done in attempt to stop the inflammation in the body. This is done by suppressing the immune system. Medication is given to first put the disease into a state of remission, then to help keep the disease from relapsing. Treatments can last two years and even then, the person must me monitored regularly by their doctor to ensure that the disease does not relapse. If kidney failure has occurred, some patients receive a kidney transplant to help restore normal kidney function.

If you are experiencing any signs or symptoms of Wegener's Granulomatosis, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. Early detection is important for making a full recovery. Be prepared when you go to the doctor. List any questions you may want to ask, any medications you take, and any symptoms you are experiencing. Being prepared helps you to make the most of your doctor visit and gives you doctor needed information to help diagnose and treat you.

Wegener's Granulomatosis is a rapidly progressing disease that can result in death if not caught and treated early enough. If caught and treated in time, a full recovery can be made. If you have any signs or symptoms of this uncommon disease, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.medicinenet.com, there are incomplete forms of Wegener's Granulomatosis that only involve one area. If the lungs and kidneys are both affected, it is called generalized Wegener's Granulomatosis, when only the lungs are affected; it is called limited Wegener's Granulomatosis. mayoclinic.com , Wegener's Granulomatosis not only causes inflammation in the small arteries and veins, it also causes a type of inflammatory tissue that is called a granuloma. These granulomas are found around the blood vessels and can destroy normal tissue. mayoclinic.com , Wegener's Granulomatosis appears to develop because of an event that triggers inflammation and an abnormal response to the inflammation from a person's immune system. Some scientists believe that an infection may be the first event that triggers the condition. This theory has been documented in almost half of the people who have developed Wegener's Granulomatosis, but in all cases, the infection is not overwhelming to the body. Other possible causes could be environmental toxins and/or genetics. If detected and treated early, a person can fully recover from Wegener's Granulomatosis. If a person is not diagnosed and treated, it can be fatal.