Churg-Strauss Syndrome, now commonly referred to as EGPA (Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis), is a rare chronic disease marked by inflammation of the blood vessels. It mainly affects people - and most commonly, men - in the 30-45 age group, with symptoms seldom being found in those outside this age group, especially the young or elderly.
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.
Churg-Strauss syndrome is complex, and because the signs and symptoms are both numerous and often-times unassuming, notoriously difficult to diagnose in the first place. This is problematic for many reasons, not least because the earlier one is diagnosed and treatment is put in place the better, and the more manageable the condition will be. It is rare for two patients of the syndrome to experience the exact same set of symptoms, or indeed even similar symptoms at all. The list of symptoms and signs is numerous, and at times their correlations seem somewhat devoid of logic.
Those diagnosed with only a mild form of the illness, whereby the nervous system, the heart, and the kidneys, are not affected, may find that only a low dosage of drugs is required to prevent the disease from further development.
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.
As well as the aforementioned medical assistance in managing the disease, there are also many things that the patient themselves can do to increase their quality of life and reduce the symptoms and effects of Churg-Strauss. These include implementing an exercise regime, ensuring adequate calcium and vitamin D intake to maintain the bones, and eating a healthier and more wholesome diet. It is strongly recommended that the patient should quit smoking should they do so at present, as it can worsen the illness as well as intensifying side effects of any medication. Those with relatives or friends that have been diagnosed should do their utmost to encourage and help them maintain a healthier lifestyle.
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.
Churg-Strauss syndrome is complex, and because the signs and symptoms are both numerous and often-times unassuming, notoriously difficult to diagnose in the first place. This is problematic for many reasons, not least because the earlier one is diagnosed and treatment is put in place the better, and the more manageable the condition will be. It is rare for two patients of the syndrome to experience the exact same set of symptoms, or indeed even similar symptoms at all. The list of symptoms and signs is numerous, and at times their correlations seem somewhat devoid of logic.
Those diagnosed with only a mild form of the illness, whereby the nervous system, the heart, and the kidneys, are not affected, may find that only a low dosage of drugs is required to prevent the disease from further development.
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.
As well as the aforementioned medical assistance in managing the disease, there are also many things that the patient themselves can do to increase their quality of life and reduce the symptoms and effects of Churg-Strauss. These include implementing an exercise regime, ensuring adequate calcium and vitamin D intake to maintain the bones, and eating a healthier and more wholesome diet. It is strongly recommended that the patient should quit smoking should they do so at present, as it can worsen the illness as well as intensifying side effects of any medication. Those with relatives or friends that have been diagnosed should do their utmost to encourage and help them maintain a healthier lifestyle.
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