Churg-Strauss syndrome
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Churg-Strauss syndrome is a disorder marked by blood vessel inflammation. This inflammation can restrict blood flow to vital organs and tissues, sometimes permanently damaging them. This condition is also known as eosinophilic granulomatosis (gran-u-low-muh-TOE-sis) with polyangiitis (pol-e-an-jee-I-tis).
Asthma is the most common sign of Churg-Strauss syndrome. The disorder can also cause a variety of other problems, such as hay fever, rash, gastrointestinal bleeding, and pain and numbness in your hands and feet.
Churg-Strauss syndrome is rare and has no cure. But your doctor can usually help you control symptoms with steroids and other powerful immunosuppressant drugs.
Churg-Strauss syndrome is a highly variable illness. Some people have only mild symptoms. Others experience severe or life-threatening complications.
Churg-Strauss syndrome has three stages, or phases, each with its own signs and symptoms. Not everyone develops all three phases. Nor do the phases always arise in the same order. This is especially true when the disease is caught and treated before the most serious damage occurs.
This is usually the first stage of Churg-Strauss syndrome. It’s marked by a number of allergic reactions, including:
Asthma. The primary sign of Churg-Strauss syndrome, asthma develops on average three to nine years before other signs and symptoms appear. In people with Churg-Strauss syndrome who already have asthma, symptoms usually become worse and may require steroids for control.
Other people develop what is known as late-onset asthma. Developing asthma, even later in life, doesn’t necessarily mean that you have Churg-Strauss syndrome.
An eosinophil is a type of white blood cell that helps your immune system fight certain infections. Normally, eosinophils make up only a small percentage of white blood cells. In people with Churg-Strauss syndrome, abnormally high numbers of these cells (hypereosinophilia) are found in the blood or tissues, where they can cause serious damage.
Signs and symptoms of hypereosinophilia depend on which part of your body is affected. Your lungs and digestive tract — including your stomach and esophagus — are involved most often.
Signs and symptoms of the hypereosinophilia phase may include:
The hallmark of this stage of Churg-Strauss syndrome is severe blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis). By narrowing blood vessels, inflammation reduces blood flow to vital organs and tissues throughout your body, including your skin, heart, peripheral nervous system, muscles, bones and digestive tract. Occasionally, your kidneys also may be affected.
Depending on which organs are affected, you may experience:
See your doctor anytime you develop signs and symptoms such as breathing difficulties or a runny nose that doesn’t go away, especially if it’s accompanied by persistent facial pain. Also see your doctor if you have asthma or hay fever that suddenly worsens.
Churg-Strauss syndrome is rare, and it’s more likely that these symptoms have some other cause. But it’s important that your doctor evaluate them. When the condition is diagnosed and treated early, it’s more like that you’ll have a good outcome and a reduced risk of complications from the disease and its treatment.
The exact cause of Churg-Strauss syndrome is unknown. It’s likely that an overactive immune system response is triggered by a combination of genes and environmental factors, such as allergens or certain medications. Instead of simply protecting against invading organisms such as bacteria and viruses, the immune system overreacts and targets healthy tissue, causing widespread inflammation.
Some people have developed Churg-Strauss syndrome after using an asthma and allergy medication called montelukast or after switching from low-dose oral systemic steroids to inhaled steroid medications. But no clear connection between Churg-Strauss syndrome and any medication has been proved.
Possible risk factors for Churg-Strauss syndrome include:
Churg-Strauss syndrome can affect many organs, including your lungs, skin, gastrointestinal system, kidneys, muscles, joints and heart. Without treatment, the disease may be fatal. Complications depend on the organs involved and may include:
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Churg-Strauss syndrome
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