Churg Strauss Syndrome: President Umura Yar'Adua's Mystery Illness

There has been much mystery and misinformation surrounding the Nigerian President's illness and death. Churg Strauss Syndrome is a small vessel vasculitis which is often misdiagnosed, or diagnosed late, after permanent organ damage has occurred. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) May 15, 2010 - The recent death of of President Umaru Yar'Adua of Nigeria and the confusion surrounding the nature of his illness, gives opportunity to raise awareness of Churg Strauss Syndrome, which reportedly was the cause of his death.

Churg Strauss Syndrome is a very rare form of small vessel vasculitis which may affect any organ system. The hallmarks of the disease are late onset or worsening asthma and hypereosinophilia. Untreated, the disease is almost always fatal.

Diagnosis is often delayed, which can result in permanent organ damage. CSS may cause damage to the heart, lungs, liver, nerves, gastrointestinal tract and more rarely, the kidneys. With prompt diagnosis and treatment with corticosteroids and other immunosuppressant drugs, most patients do achieve remission. On average, after 5 years of illness, over 80 percent of people survive the effects of CSS.

Vasculitis is a family of potentially life-threatening diseases of unknown cause linked by blood vessel inflammation and an overactive immune system. Left untreated, most types of vasculitis can cause serious organ/tissue damage and may lead to death. Currently there is no cure, but proper and early treatment allows most individuals to live near normal lives.

About the Vasculitis Foundation
The VF is the international organization for patients with vasculitis. There is no known cause or cure for vasculitis. Early diagnosis and effective treatment are critical for patients. Through its website, educational materials, medical consultants, symposia, chapters and support groups the VF strives to educate and support patients, family members and medical professionals. The VF Research Program has funded over $800,000 in research to determine the cause, develop
effective treatments and ultimately discover a cure for all types of vasculitis. The VF was established to alleviate the isolation that patients and families experience when these rare life-threatening diseases affect them. The VF strives to improve the lives of vasculitis patients around the world.

For more information: www.Vasculitisfoundation.org

About the Churg Strauss Syndrome Association
The Churg Strauss Syndrome Association, an international organization for patients with Churg Strauss Syndrome, works in close partnership with the Vasculitis Foundation to to raise awareness of this rare form of vasculitis and to provide support to patients and family members.
www.cssassociation.org

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Visit Vasculitis Foundation Website

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