Churg-Strauss Syndrome

• What is Churg-Strauss syndrome?
• What are symptoms of Churg-Strauss syndrome?
• How is Churg-Strauss syndrome diagnosed?
• How is Churg-Strauss syndrome treated?
• What is the outlook (prognosis) for patients with Churg-Strauss syndrome?
• Churg-Strauss Syndrome At A Glance

What is Churg-Strauss syndrome?

Churg-Strauss syndrome is one of many forms of vasculitis. Vasculitis diseases are characterized by inflammation of blood vessels. Churg-Strauss syndrome, in particular, occurs in patients with a history of asthma or allergy and features inflammation of blood vessels (also referred to as angiitis) in the lungs, skin, nerves, and abdomen. The blood vessels involved in Churg-Strauss syndrome are small arteries and veins.

Churg-Strauss syndrome is rare. The cause of the syndrome is not known, but it involves an abnormal over-activation of the immune system in a person with underlying bronchospastic lung disease (asthma). While Churg-Strauss syndrome has been reported to be associated with certain asthma medications, called leukotriene modifiers, whether they actually cause the disease or whether the patients that take them have more severe asthma that lends a tendency toward the development of Churg-Strauss is not yet clear.

What are symptoms of Churg-Strauss syndrome?

Churg-Strauss syndrome causes fever, weight loss, and sinus or nasal passage inflammation in the patient with asthma. Fatigue is common. Sometimes the asthma actually improves somewhat as the disease intensifies elsewhere. Cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain can occur as the lungs are affected by vasculitis.

Skin lumps, called nodules, can appear on the extremities. Diarrhea and pain in the belly occur with blood vessel inflammation within the abdomen. The bladder and prostate gland can become inflamed.

Numbness or weakness of extremities is the result of nerve injury from the vasculitis. If the brain is affected, seizures or confusion can occur.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

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