Preserve organ function with expert care for systemic vasculitis, a serious autoimmune disease that can cause blood vessel inflammation, vision loss, kidney failure, and more. At Cohen Medical Centers, we offer prompt treatments to help stop damage before it’s irreversible.
What is Systemic Vasculitis?
Systemic vasculitis is a group of rare but serious autoimmune diseases that cause inflammation and damage to blood vessels throughout the body. This inflammation can restrict blood flow to vital organs, leading to potentially irreversible damage to the eyes, kidneys, lungs, nerves, and more. Without timely treatment, systemic vasculitis can cause severe disability or even be life-threatening. At Cohen Medical Centers, our patients receive rapid diagnosis and treatment to control inflammation, protect organs, and restore long-term health.
Common Signs & Symptoms of Systemic Vasculitis:
- Persistent fatigue or unexplained weakness
- Fever, night sweats, or unintentional weight loss
- Joint pain, muscle aches, or generalized body pain
- Skin rashes, ulcers, or purplish spots
- Headaches, scalp tenderness, or jaw pain while chewing
- Blurred or double vision or sudden vision loss
- Shortness of breath, chronic cough, or coughing up blood
- Blood in urine, swelling in the legs, or kidney dysfunction
- Numbness, tingling, or nerve pain in hands and feet
Systemic Vasculitis Diagnosis & Treatment at
Cohen Medical Centers
During your consultation, your provider at Cohen Medical Centers, led by Dr. Cohen, will conduct a thorough review of your medical history, symptoms, and any test results. You’ll undergo a detailed physical exam, targeted lab work, and advanced imaging to identify the type and severity of vasculitis affecting you. We may also perform specialized blood vessel studies and coordinate with other specialists as needed. Based on these findings, we’ll design a treatment plan to control inflammation, protect your organs, and prevent flare-ups.
Depending on your diagnosis, your systemic vasculitis treatment plan may include:
- RITUXAN infusions to stop immune system attacks and induce remission
- ACTEMRA (tocilizumab) infusions to control inflammation in giant cell arteritis
- IV methylprednisolone to rapidly stop life- or organ-threatening inflammation
- Custom steroid-tapering protocols to reduce side effects while maintaining disease control
- Maintenance biologic therapy to prevent relapse and preserve long-term organ function
Systemic Vasculitis FAQs
What Causes Systemic Vasculitis?
Systemic vasculitis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own blood vessels. While the exact trigger isn’t always clear, it can be linked to genetic factors, infections, other autoimmune conditions, or certain medications. In many cases, it develops without a known cause, which is why early recognition of symptoms and rapid medical evaluation are so important.
Is Systemic Vasculitis Curable?
There’s currently no absolute cure for systemic vasculitis, but it can be effectively managed. With the right treatment, often a combination of infusions, steroids, and ongoing monitoring, you can achieve remission, meaning the disease is inactive and symptoms are controlled. The goal is to prevent organ damage and minimize relapses, which is why long-term care is essential.
Why is Early Treatment Important?
Systemic vasculitis can damage critical organs within days or weeks if untreated. Early treatment helps prevent irreversible complications like kidney failure, vision loss, nerve damage, or lung hemorrhage. Delaying treatment can even lead to permanent disability.
Will I Need Treatment Forever?
The duration of your treatment depends on the type and severity of your vasculitis, your response to therapy, and your relapse risk. Some patients require only short-term aggressive treatment, while others benefit from ongoing maintenance therapy to prevent flare-ups.
Why Choose Cohen Medical Centers for Systemic Vasculitis Treatment?
Cohen Medical Centers is the Conejo Valley’s leading physician-directed infusion facility for high-risk autoimmune vascular diseases. Led by Dr. Shariar Cohen, who is dual board-certified in internal medicine and rheumatology, you’ll receive expert diagnosis, rapid initiation of therapy, and individualized treatment plans to protect your organs. Schedule your consultation today to begin expert-guided treatment for systemic vasculitis before irreversible damage occurs.
