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.
What remains key is early detection and treatment, and lifelong monitoring. Patients can see their illness fade into remission as a result of the medications, only to have it relapse. Maintenance and therapy are vital. Complications and side-effects that can arise from long-term use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressants are often addressed with the prescription of vitamin D, calcium and bisphosphonates. With proper, prudent and ongoing medical monitoring, patients of this disease now have good long-term survival rates and outcomes.
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.
What remains key is early detection and treatment, and lifelong monitoring. Patients can see their illness fade into remission as a result of the medications, only to have it relapse. Maintenance and therapy are vital. Complications and side-effects that can arise from long-term use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressants are often addressed with the prescription of vitamin D, calcium and bisphosphonates. With proper, prudent and ongoing medical monitoring, patients of this disease now have good long-term survival rates and outcomes.
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.
About the Author:
Learn more about churg-strauss syndrome. Stop by the csssyndrome.com website where you can find out all about questions like life expectancy and different available treatments.
This article collected, selected and written by: Author Van Hoc
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