Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), also known as Churg-Strauss syndrome, causes inflammation of the blood vessels. It affects approximately one in 500,000 people in the United States.
There’s no cure, but symptoms can be managed thorough medication. Shortness of breath is one of the hallmark symptoms because the blood vessels in the lungs can become inflamed, which can lead to a misdiagnosis of asthma.
In the video below, Churg-Strauss is discussed at around 11:36, although watching the entire video is very informative and easy to understand.
Amateur racer Calvin Honore knows all about this rare disease because he was diagnosed with it six years ago–and it turned his world upside down. One of his biggest fears was that doctors wouldn’t be able to figure out what was wrong with him; luckily, that wasn’t the case. After undergoing chemotherapy, Honore was placed on a treatment regimen that has put his EGPA into remission. He credits the love and support he received from his wife, Vickie, with helping him stay on treatment.
