CONDITION: Polyarteritis Nodosa

DESCRIPTION:
Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a specific form of the autoimmune disease known as vasculitis, which involves inflammation of the blood vessels. In polyarteritis nodosa inflammation occurs in the medium sized arteries, impairing blood flow through the vessels and to the surrounding tissues. The disease usually develops at 40 to 50 years of age. Men are three times more likely than women to develop it.

How does polyarteritis nodosa develop?
The cause of polyarteritis nodosa is unknown. It is clear, however, that the immune system plays a critical role in the tissue damage caused by the disease. In polyarteritis nodosa the immune system produces antibodies that attack the body, causing inflammation to develop in the blood vessels. Inflammation in blood vessel and artery walls leads to narrowing of the vessels. The blood vessels become leaky or clogged, disrupting blood flow to nerves, organs and other parts of the body. Inadequate blood supply to a particular tissue or organ can result in permanent damage such as loss of pulse points, blindness and pulmonary failure. Any organ or combination of organs in the body can be affected.

What are the symptoms of polyarteritis nodosa?
Polyarteritis nodosa may develop over several weeks or months. Depending on which organs are affected, patients may have nonspecific complaints such as fever, sweats, malaise, weight loss, anorexia, abdominal pain and severe muscle and joint aches and pains. The disease can affect nearly any site in the body, but it has a predisposition for organs such as the skin, kidney, nerves and gastrointestinal tract. Three fourths of the patients with polyarteritis nodosa develop kidney damage, which can cause high blood pressure, swelling from water retention and the production of little or no urine. Symptoms may also include skin abnormalities (rash or ulcers) and pain, the sensations of burning, tingling or numbness, or weakness in a hand or foot.

Conventional medical treatments may help relieve the symptoms of polyarteritis nodosa but they do not address the root of the problem. Generally, by undergoing comprehensive natural medicine testing, the reasons the body is producing antibodies against itself can be found. Some of these reasons include sensitivities or allergies to foods, inhalants and chemicals and various infections.

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