Capillaritis facts for kids

Capillaritis is a medical condition where tiny blood vessels called capillaries become wider than they should be. This often happens in the lungs, a condition known as pulmonary capillaritis.

What Are Capillaries?

Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels in your body. They are like tiny bridges connecting your arteries (which carry blood away from your heart) and your veins (which carry blood back to your heart). Their main job is to deliver oxygen and nutrients to your body's tissues. They also pick up waste products like carbon dioxide.

What Happens in Capillaritis?

When someone has capillaritis, these tiny capillaries become inflamed and wider than normal. This can make them leaky. If they leak, blood can escape from inside the vessels into the surrounding tissues. This can cause problems, especially in important organs like the lungs.

Pulmonary Capillaritis: When Lungs Are Affected

Pulmonary capillaritis means the condition affects the capillaries in the lungs. The lungs are vital for breathing. When capillaries in the lungs leak, blood can get into the air sacs. This can make it hard to breathe and can cause coughing. It might also lead to bleeding in the lungs.

Why is Pulmonary Capillaritis Serious?

Because the lungs are so important for getting oxygen, pulmonary capillaritis needs to be treated. If left untreated, it can cause serious damage to the lungs. It can also lead to other health problems.

What Causes Capillaritis?

Capillaritis is often linked to the body's immune system. Sometimes, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues, including the capillaries. This can happen as part of other conditions, such as:

• Autoimmune diseases: These are conditions where the immune system attacks healthy cells. Examples include lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
• Vasculitis: This is a group of conditions that cause inflammation of blood vessels.

Sometimes, the exact cause of capillaritis is not known.

How is Capillaritis Diagnosed?

Doctors diagnose capillaritis by looking at a person's symptoms and doing tests. These tests might include:

• Blood tests: To check for signs of inflammation or specific antibodies.
• Imaging tests: Like X-rays or CT scans of the chest to see the lungs.
• Lung biopsy: In some cases, a small piece of lung tissue might be taken to look at under a microscope. This helps doctors see if the capillaries are inflamed or leaking.

How is Capillaritis Treated?

The main goal of treating capillaritis is to reduce inflammation and stop the capillaries from leaking. Treatments often include:

• Corticosteroids: These are medicines that help reduce inflammation. They are often given in high doses at first.
• Immunosuppressants: These medicines help calm down the overactive immune system. They are used when the condition is severe or long-lasting.
• Supportive care: This might include oxygen therapy if breathing is difficult.

The treatment plan depends on how severe the condition is and what is causing it. Doctors will work closely with patients to manage their symptoms and prevent further damage.