What is Wegener's Granulomatosis?

Wegener's granulomatosis -a disease of unknown etiology -causes inflamation of blood vessels.

The resulting disruption of blood supply causes tissue damage within the organs being services by the blood vessels so inflamed.

Wegener's granulomatosis disease primarily involves the respiratory tract (sinuses, nose, bronchial tubes and the lungs) and the kidneys.

Signs and Symptoms of Wegener's Granulomatosis:

Depending on the organs involved, Wegener's Granulomatosis disease symptoms may include: Fatigue, Joint Pain, Hoarseness, Chronic Cough, Skin Lesions (Blisters and Skin Ulcers), Upper Respiratory Tract Symptoms (Hemorrhagic Rhinorrhea, Paranasal Sinusitis, Nasal Mucosal Ulcerations, Sinus Pain, and Breathlessness), Eyes Related Complications (Conjunctivitis, Episcleritis, and Scleritis), Fever, and Weight Loss.

Wegener's Granulomatosis Diagnosis:

Wegener's granulomatosis disease is diagnosed by a combination of tests, including the following:

• Blood test to determine RBC, and Platelet count, and to check for the presense of Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies (ANCA).
• Urine tests to check fo red blood cell casts,
• Chest Radiographs, and Chest and Upper Respiratory Tract CT Scans, and
• Lung/Kidney Biopsy.

Treatment Options for Wegener's Granulomatosis Disease:

Wegener's Granulomatosis treatment primarily consists glucocorticoid (such as Prednisone), and cytotoxic (such as Cyclophosphamide) drugs. The medicines commonly used for this disease include: Prednisone, Cyclophosphamide, Methotrexate, Azathioprine, Trimethoprim (sulfamethoxazole or septra), and Leucovorin.

Wegener's Granulomatosis Prognosis:

Early diagnosis and timely treatment of Wegener's Granulomatosis disease helps prevent/minimize the renal complications, thereby greatly improving the prognosis for the patients suffering from this disease.

It is not uncommon, however, for Wegener's granulomatosis to recurr within approximately two years from the time treatment is ended. Continued post-treatment follow-up is, therefore, crucial to improving the long term prognosis of Wegener's Granulomatosis patients.

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