Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a disease that may allow people to live everyday normal lives, however there are many severe symptoms.
Sarcoidosis is a disease that mostly affects your lungs, but it can also attack any organ in your body. The most popular areas that if affects are the lungs and lymph nodes. These lymph nodes mostly are in your chest area. Sarcoidosis is also commonly found to attack your skin, eyes, and liver. A small percent attacks your spleen, brain, nerves, heart, tear glands, salivary glands, bones, and joints.
Sarcoidosis usually affects more than one organ at a time.
Sarcoidosis is recognized by small areas of enlarged cells, called granulomas. These lumps are so small, that they can only been seen with the use of a microscope. Through a microscope, they look like grains of sugar or sand. These granulomas can be found on the inside or exterior of the body. If found on the exterior of body appear, they will appear as sores on face or shins.
Sarcoidosis can be mild for many people. Fortunately, for some the granulomas will stop growing or shrink. However, for others it can slowly get worse. This can cause permanent organ damage, and leave scar tissue in the organ. This will effect how organ works.
The cause of sarcoidosis has not yet been pinpointed. It is thought that it may be caused by your own immune system, responding to something in the environment. Some say it may be caused by a virus. Others say that it is something in the environment such as bacteria, dust, and chemicals. Researchers are still searching for more information on the cause of sarcoidosis.
The symptoms of sarcoidosis may vary, depending on how severe of a case you have. The symptoms depend on which part of the body the disease effects. Since the most common is lung, sarcoidosis is usually characterized by shortness of breath, dry cough, wheezing, and chest pain.
For patients with sarcoidosis on the outside of the body, some of the symptoms may include: scaly rash, red bumps all over their legs, flat areas of discolored skin, fever, sore eyes, and ankle pain/swelling.
General symptoms of sarcoidosis include: fatigue, weakness, fever, weight loss, and sleep problems. Since these symptoms are common in many other lung diseases, sarcoidosis is hard to diagnosis.

For more information visit:
article by Dr. Gary R. Epler, M.D. Information for patients, their families and others who have questions about Sarcoidosis
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Health related information on sarcoidosis written in plain language.
American Lung Association General information about sarcoidosis

return to medical

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws