Churg Strauss Syndrome Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

What Is Churg Strauss Syndrome?

Churg Strauss Syndrome is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation of small and medium-sized blood vessels in persons with a history of airway allergic hypersensitivity.

It usually manifests in three stages

The early stage is marked by airway inflammation; almost all patients experienceasthma and/or allergic rhinitis.
The second stage is characterized by abnormally high numbers of eosinophils, which causes tissue damage, most commonly to thelungs and the digestive tract.
The third stage consists of vasculitis, which can eventually lead tocell death and can be life-threatening.

Causes Of Churg Strauss Syndrome:

The underlying cause of Churg-Strauss syndrome is yet unknown.

However, genetics and environmental factors are thought to play a role.

Possible risk factors include:

On average, people with Churg-Strauss syndrome are diagnosed in their mid- to late 40s.

History of asthma or nasal problems

Most people diagnosed with Churg-Strauss syndrome have a history of nasal allergies, chronic sinusitis or asthma, which is often severe or hard to control.

Symptoms Of Churg Strauss Syndrome:

Symptoms vary according to the stages of Churg-Strauss syndrome,

Allergic stage
Asthma
Hay fever (allergic rhinitis).

This affects the mucous membranes of the nose, causing runny nose, sneezing and itching.

Sinus pain and inflammation (sinusitis).
Eosinophilic stage
Fever
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Asthma
Fatigue
Cough
Abdominal pain
Gastrointestinal bleeding

Vasculitic stage
Rash or skin sores
Joint aches and swelling
Severe pain, numbness and tingling in your hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy)
Severe abdominal pain
Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting
shortness of breath (dyspnea) from asthma or congestive heart failure
Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
Chest pain
Irregular heartbeat
Blood in your urine (hematuria)