Treating Churg-Strauss Syndrome is a challenge, it is a chronic, life-long condition with no direct cure. Medical professionals will, once the patient has been diagnosed, work to manage the disease by treating the symptoms and alleviating them as much as possible. A type of 'remission' is possible to achieve with judicious use of the correct mix of drugs.
One of the problems with Churg-Strauss Syndrome is that it is an incredibly variable disease with some sufferers only experiencing hay-fever and rhinitis for many years, with the syndrome progressing very slowly, while others can race through the three stages and be faced with symptoms such as vasculitis leading to severe life-threatening complications. It is important to understand that not every patient will suffer from all three stages (allergic, eosinophilic, vasculitic), nor, when the disease does progress, will every patient follow a set pattern.
The first and mildest stage is usually characterised with hay-fever and asthma symptoms, and can also feature the growth of nasal polyps. Corticosteroids are used to treat these symptoms, and can often work as a stand-alone treatment to manage the early stage of the disease. Nasal polyps can be surgically removed, and this may need to be repeated as the polyps can return. Nearly all Churg-Strauss sufferers will develop asthma, or experience a worsening of existing respiratory issues.
For those who suffer more intensely, the corticosteroid may not be enough, and they will be given immunosuppressants. It is important for medical professionals to closely monitor anyone who is using immunosuppressants as the medication interferes with the body's ability to stave off other disease and infections.
Another treatment, usually only given to those not responding to corticosteroids and immunosuppressants is immune globulin. Immune globulin is made from human blood plasma and is given in the form of a monthly transfusion. After such a transfusion the patient may suffer flu-like symptoms for a day or two. The treatment is very expensive and its efficacy is not absolute: it does not work for everyone.
Another form of treatment involves trying to change the way the immune system works. As Churg-Strauss is caused, loosely speaking, by the immune system turning on the body, it is sensible to try to undo this reaction. These drugs are called biologic medications and they work, in theory, to 'reprogram' the immune system to stop harming the body. These treatments are very new and, in fact, are still in the testing phase and the effects from long-term use, and how well they work is still unclear. Small trials have shown some promising results, but there is a lot of work to be done before they are released for general consumption.
If you are currently using Montelukast to treat your asthma when Churg-Strauss is diagnosed, your doctor may well take you off it. There is a small chance that the medication could be working against your system, allowing the condition to take hold.
If you are diagnosed and want to give your body the best possible chance of fighting off Churg-Strauss, you can alter your diet to boost your general health. Avoid white flour and refined starches, switching to whole grains, avoiding cheese and cutting down your intake of red meat. Increase your intake of fish and chicken and eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Churg-Strauss Syndrome does not have a cure, but with the right medications, diet and frame of mind it can be managed and controlled.