Churg-Strauss Symptoms - The common type of vasculitis disease, Churg-Strauss syndrome is normally caused by blood vessel inflammation. This condition is mostly common among patients with a long history of allergy and asthma. Inflammation of the blood vessel normally leads to restricted blood flow into vital body organs and tissues, sometimes damaging them permanently.
There are three main stages of Churg-Strauss disease and each one of them comes with its own symptoms. However, it is worth bearing in mind that not every patient will experience these signs or follow the same sequence. This mostly happens when the disease has been detected and treated on time before it progresses to the next stage.
Most patients suffer from asthma for approximately 3-9 years before the arrival of other signs of the disease. However, patients who already suffer from asthma may experience worse conditions when they contract Churg-Strauss syndrome and for this reason, they may need steroids as a control measure. You should also bear in mind that asthmatic people do not necessarily suffer from this vasculitis disease.
Hay fever is also a common symptom associated with people suffering from this syndrome. It is mostly characterised by regular sneezing, running nose and itching. In some rare cases, the patients may also develop nasal polyps. These are soft growths that are normally caused by chronic inflammation.
An eosinophilic is a special type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in helping the human immune system fight various infections. This syndrome leads to the formation of excessive amounts of such cells and consequently causing severe damage. Some of the most common areas affected include the digestive system, lungs, stomach and esophagus. This stage is usually identified by the presence of various side effects such as fever, weight loss, fatigue, cough, abdominal pain, asthma and so on.
This is the final phase of Churg-Strauss syndrome. It occurs as a result of the narrowing of blood vessels, therefore leading to a reduced blood supply to crucial body organs and tissues. Some of the most affected areas include the skin, nervous system, muscles, bones, heart and digestive tract. Some patients may also develop kidney complications if left untreated for a very long time.
The inflammation may lead to serious abdominal pain at this stage, diarrhoea, vomiting, swollen lymph nodes, chest pain, irregular heartbeat and nausea. Some patients may notice the presence of blood when they cough or urinate. These conditions are known as hemoptysis and hematuria respectively.
On a positive note, this disease can be controlled if detected and treated early. It is always advisable to visit a professional doctor whenever you develop strange signs or symptoms related to this condition. There are various treatment plans that suit patients of Churg-Strauss syndrome such as corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, immune globulin and biologic medications. These treatment options depend on the severity of the condition and that is why it is always good to visit a professional health care provider for further examination and advice, rather than making quick decisions. If you have close friends or relatives suffering from this disease, encourage them not to lose hope since most of these signs and symptoms can be controlled through proper medication.