Polyarteritis Nodosa

Polyarteritis nodosa is an uncommon disease in which the walls of medium- and small-caliber arteries become inflamed, which can compromise blood flow to various organs.

Common symptoms: fever, fatigue, weight loss, muscle and joint pains, as well as manifestations in the skin, the nerves, or the kidneys depending on the affected vessels.

When to seek care? An evaluation is advisable when persistent general malaise and symptoms in several organs coincide without a clear cause.

Which specialist treats it? The rheumatologist is the professional who usually coordinates the workup of this type of vessel inflammation; the internist provides a comprehensive view and the nephrologist gets involved if there is kidney involvement. If you have this kind of presentation, discussing it with these specialists helps steer the diagnosis.