Dear Dr. Hibberd: A friend has been in the hospital for three months with “vasculitis.” Her doctors say she has only a 1 percent chance of survival. Is there anything that can be done to cure her?


Answer:
Vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels. Vasculitis causes changes in the walls of blood vessels, including thickening, weakening, narrowing and scarring. The resulting shortage of blood can result in organ and tissue damage, even death. By your question, it seems her condition is quite serious. It is important to know the cause of her vasculitis and what treatment was given to her.