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.
The syndrome consists of three main stages, Allergy, abnormally high numbers of eosinophils present in the blood & Vasculitis, but it must be noted that not all patients end up developing all of these three stages or progress from one to the next. As well, some patients are only affected mildly and get skin lesions whilst others can develop serious and sometimes life threatening diseases, such as heart disease.
Early stages of CSS Syndrome are characterised by allergy. Almost all of the patients have experienced asthma andor allergies. On average, in patients, the asthma develops from between three to nine years before the symptoms show. Sinusitis is also present in some patients.
Mid stages are marked by abnormally high numbers of eosinophils present in the blood. (hypereosinophilia) This is a type of white blood cell which are found in the tissues and in the blood. The signs of hypereosinophilia will depend on the part of the body that is affected. Most frequent it can affect the lungs and also the digestive tract. These symptoms of hypereosinophilia can include: weight loss, night sweats, cough, asthma, abdominal pain. This eosinophilic stage can last from a few months up to a few years, and its symptoms can also sometimes disappear but only to then return at a later stage.
The final stage is the vasculitic stage, where the blood vessels become drastically inflamed and begin to narrow. At this point it is likely that a diagnosis will have been confirmed or be close to confirmation in cases where medical help has been sought. If the patient has not already been to a doctor, the stage three symptoms, including joint aches, swelling, rash, chest pain and urine in the blood, are almost guaranteed to prompt them to do so, as by this stage they are difficult to ignore. It is important that a doctor is notified as early as possible if you or someone close to you is experiencing any number of these symptoms, as though it may not be a case of Churg-Strauss, it is crucial they are evaluated.
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.
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.
The syndrome consists of three main stages, Allergy, abnormally high numbers of eosinophils present in the blood & Vasculitis, but it must be noted that not all patients end up developing all of these three stages or progress from one to the next. As well, some patients are only affected mildly and get skin lesions whilst others can develop serious and sometimes life threatening diseases, such as heart disease.
Early stages of CSS Syndrome are characterised by allergy. Almost all of the patients have experienced asthma andor allergies. On average, in patients, the asthma develops from between three to nine years before the symptoms show. Sinusitis is also present in some patients.
Mid stages are marked by abnormally high numbers of eosinophils present in the blood. (hypereosinophilia) This is a type of white blood cell which are found in the tissues and in the blood. The signs of hypereosinophilia will depend on the part of the body that is affected. Most frequent it can affect the lungs and also the digestive tract. These symptoms of hypereosinophilia can include: weight loss, night sweats, cough, asthma, abdominal pain. This eosinophilic stage can last from a few months up to a few years, and its symptoms can also sometimes disappear but only to then return at a later stage.
The final stage is the vasculitic stage, where the blood vessels become drastically inflamed and begin to narrow. At this point it is likely that a diagnosis will have been confirmed or be close to confirmation in cases where medical help has been sought. If the patient has not already been to a doctor, the stage three symptoms, including joint aches, swelling, rash, chest pain and urine in the blood, are almost guaranteed to prompt them to do so, as by this stage they are difficult to ignore. It is important that a doctor is notified as early as possible if you or someone close to you is experiencing any number of these symptoms, as though it may not be a case of Churg-Strauss, it is crucial they are evaluated.
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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