How To Treat Churg-Strauss Syndrome

Churg-Strauss syndrome is a rare disorder that causes inflammation of the blood vessels resulting in organ and tissue damage due to the restriction of oxygen nutrient blood flow. The most common symptom of Churg-Strauss syndrome is asthma along with hay fever, bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract, and numbness and pain in the extremities. There currently is no specific diagnostic test to determine whether a person has the disorder and because symptoms are so similar to other illnesses, diagnosing Churg-Strauss can be difficult. While there is no cure for the disorder, there are several treatment methods to help patients manage symptoms.

Immunosuppressants

Patients with more severe symptoms of Churg-Strauss syndrome may find relief using immunosuppressive medications. Cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, and methotrexate are examples of the most common immunosuppressive medications on the market used to treat the disorder. Immunosuppressants are typically less toxic to the body and can help reduce the steroids a patient may have to take, thereby limiting the side effects that can come with long-term steroid use. Immunosuppressants weaken the body's natural ability to fight infection. Because of this, those undergoing immunosuppressant treatment for Churg-Strauss will need to be closely monitored by their physician and healthcare team.

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Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are often used to treat Churg-Strauss syndrome. They are typically used alone if the patient is experiencing mild symptoms, or in conjunction with other medications or treatment methods. Of the many corticosteroids on the market, prednisone is the one most commonly recommended treatments for Churg-Strauss syndrome. When a patient is experiencing symptoms, a doctor may suggest an elevated dose to help a patient get their symptoms under control and then slowly decrease the dose once they are manageable. Continuous use of high dosage intake of these medications is not advised, as high doses and extended use, even at low doses, can have serious side effects on the body, such as bone loss, high blood sugar, weight gain, resistant infections, and cataracts.

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