Churg-Strauss Syndrome: An Overview

By Jack Morgan


Churg-Strauss Syndrome is one form of a group of conditions known as vasculitis. Vasculitis diseases are conditions in which there is inflammation of the blood vessels. Churg-Strauss syndrome often occurs in patients who have a history of asthma or who often suffer from allergies. The blood vessels involved in this particular condition are small arteries and small veins. It is a highly variable condition, so therefore the course and the presentation of it widely varies from patient to patient.

While it can be treated and essentially controlled through various procedures including the use of steroids and medicine, it is not curable, and as with many similar illnesses, the extent to which it can be managed depends heavily on several factors including severity and the age and overall health of the patient concerned. It is rare that someone with good health and no known serious pre-existing medical conditions would be diagnosed with Churg-Strauss Syndrome, as it is often an offset of other conditions, manifesting itself in those already suffering from asthma and those with abnormal blood vessel counts.

Despite vasculitis being an incredibly daunting prospect, Churg-Strauss Syndrome is - though by no means an easygoing illness - not impossible to live with, and while its impact can be particularly harsh, for the average patient it is free from complications and not as debilitating as one might expect. With ongoing support from medical professionals, family, friends and co-workers, it is perfectly possible to live a fulfilling and, on the whole, comfortable life in spite of the condition.

Churg-Strauss syndrome is complex, and because the signs and symptoms are both numerous and often-times unassuming, notoriously difficult to diagnose in the first place. This is problematic for many reasons, not least because the earlier one is diagnosed and treatment is put in place the better, and the more manageable the condition will be. It is rare for two patients of the syndrome to experience the exact same set of symptoms, or indeed even similar symptoms at all. The list of symptoms and signs is numerous, and at times their correlations seem somewhat devoid of logic.

Those diagnosed with only a mild form of the illness, whereby the nervous system, the heart, and the kidneys, are not affected, may find that only a low dosage of drugs is required to prevent the disease from further development.

Latter stages are the onset of vasculitis. This is the inflammation of the blood vessels and therefore a reduction of blood flow to different organs and tissues. The local and systemic symptoms all become a lot more widespread. Severe complications can also arise at this stage. Thrombosis in the damaged arteries can sometimes occur. Some patients can experience recurring abdominal complaints. The most life threatening complication of this stage is heart disease. Heart disease is the cause of nearly a half of all the deaths in patients with Churg-Strauss syndrome.

The treatment for Churg-Strauss syndrome includes: Immunosuppressive drugs, High dose Steroids, Cyclophospamide puls therapy. In addition to this, in many cases the disease can perhaps be put into a remission through drug therapy, but this disease is chronic and lifelong.




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