Pronounced: polly-ar-ter-ITIS no-DO-sah Polyarteritis nodosa is
an autoimmune disease. Your immune system is your body’s defense
system. It fights diseases and infections. An autoimmune disease
is a condition in which your body's immune system mistakenly
attacks your own body. With polyarteritis nodosa, medium-sized
arteries and, less commonly, small arteries (blood vessels that
carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body) become
inflamed and damaged. The inflammation of the arteries affects
many different organs, including the: Although polyarteritis
nodosa is a rare disease, it is a potentially serious condition
that requires care from your doctor. The sooner it is treated,
the better the outcome. If you suspect you have this condition,
contact your doctor right away. A risk factor is something that
increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. The
following factors increase your chance of developing
polyarteritis nodosa: Polyarteritis nodosa is a multisystem
disease. This means that it af