Churg-Strauss Vasculitis

Churg-Strauss vasculitis is a rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and destruction of blood vessels, especially of the nose, lungs, intestines and heart, causing asthma-like symptoms such as runny nose, difficulty breathing or wheezing, for example.

Churg-Strauss vasculitis has no cure, however, symptoms can be controlled with the proper treatment to suppress the immune system, improving the quality of life for patients.

Symptoms of Churg-Strauss vasculitis

The symptoms of Churg-Strauss vasculitis vary according to the affected organs, however, the most common include:

Fever above 38º C; Difficulty breathing; Persistent cough; Wheezing when breathing; Frequent runny nose; Abdominal pain; Bloody stools; Pain in the joints

In addition, when vasculitis affects the nerves, symptoms such as a burning sensation or stinging in the arms and legs may occur, as well as lack of strength, for example.

Diagnosis of Churg-Strauss vasculitis

The diagnosis of Churg-Strauss vasculitis is usually made by a vascular surgeon or allergist through observation of symptoms and blood test, where there is an increase in the number of eosinophils and the presence of substances that indicate inflammation in the body.

Treatment for Churg-Strauss vasculitis

Treatment for Churg-Strauss vasculitis helps to suppress the immune system to prevent inflammation of blood vessels, so several types of treatment can be used, including:

Corticosteroid drugs, such as Prednisone: are used mainly when vasculitis arises in the heart, kidneys or intestine; Chemotherapy tablets, such as Cyclophosphamide or Methotrexate: are used in lower doses than those for cancer treatment and help suppress the immune system;

Usually, when the symptoms are well controlled, the doctor reduces the doses of the medications used to avoid side effects such as nausea or vomiting.