Churg-Strauss Syndrome
Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
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.
What causes Churg-Strauss syndrome?
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
due to blood vessel inflammation
within the abdomen. The bladder and prostate gland can become inflamed.
Numbness or weakness of
the extremities is the result of nerve injury
from the vasculitis. If the brain is affected,
seizures or confusion
can occur.
Next: How is Churg-Strauss syndrome diagnosed? »
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