According to a recent article, popular Filipina television host, also known as the Philippines’ “Queen of all Media,” has been diagnosed with Churg-Strauss Syndrome.
Churg-Strauss Syndrome
Churg-Strauss syndrome, or eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), is an autoimmune disorder where blood vessels are inflamed, causing restricted blood flow to critical tissues and organs, often leading to permanent damage. Organs affected are: lungs, GI tract, skin, heart, and the nervous system.
Churg-Strauss is rare, with only two to five new cases per one million people each year. On average, 35-50 years old is the age at which patients are diagnosed. After approximately five years of diagnosis, patients have a 70 to 90 percent chance of survival.
Symptoms:
Churg-Strauss syndrome has three phases that do not necessarily occur in everyone or in this order: prodromal (allergic), eosinophilic, and vasculitic.
The allergic phase is marked by allergic reactions, asthma, hay fever, and chronic sinus problems. The eosinophilic phase is marked by a particular white blood cell in tissues, lungs, GI tract, and the skin. The vasculitic phase is marked by extreme blood vessel inflammation, and possibly the narrowing of the vessels that may block or slow down blood flow to organs.
In general, Churg-Strauss syndrome symptoms include:
- Chronic to severe asthma
- Higher than 10% count of white blood cells called eosinophils
- Neuropathy caused by nerve damage to one more groups of nerves
- Lesions or spots that appear on a chest x-ray that seem to move from place to place
- Acute or chronic sinusitis
- White blood cells outside of blood vessels
Diagnosis:
Blood tests, imaging tests such as X-rays, and biopsies of damaged tissue can help determine whether or not you have Churg-Strauss. Each of these tests look for autoantibodies in the blood, abnormalities in the lungs and sinuses, and vasculitis in the tissues, respectively. Additionally, doctors may consult medical history or do a physical examination to rule out other conditions.
Treatments:
- Corticosteroids
- Immunosuppressive drugs
- Immune globulin
- Biologic medications
An Emotional Goodbye Message
Kris Aquino is a woman who has had many roles, including television host, actress, producer, endorser, and businesswoman. At 51-years-old, she has made genuine connections with a number of different people, making sharing this news even harder.
Aquino took to Instagram to share the news with her followers on June 3, saying “Time is now my enemy.” Doctors are anxiously awaiting the results that will tell if Aquino’s blood vessels that lead to her heart are still in good condition.
In her post, Aquino said a goodbye to her friends and followers on the social media app, saying that the next few years will be full of heartfelt farewells as her condition worsens. She thanked those who have supported her over the years and asked for their continued prayers and well wishes as she comes to terms with her diagnosis.
In another post, Aquino personally thanked her medical team, saying she knows she is in good hands with them.
The public has flooded Aquino’s social media accounts with support for the “Queen of all Media,” praying for her and sending love to her and her family during this time.
You can find Aquino’s Instagram post here.
