Description

Sarcoidosis is a disease that causes the small collections of cells of the immune system in any part of the body. These small collections of red, swollen lumps called granulomas. Granulomas occur more frequently in the lungs and chest lymph nodes. It can also occur in the eyes, the skin, the heart and other organs.

The experts don't know the exact cause of sarcoidosis, but it is likely that a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some people seem to have the changes in the genes that make them more likely to develop sarcoidosis. The condition can be caused by bacteria, virus, dust or chemicals. Your immune system overreacts to the trigger, causing the inflammation that forms granulomas.

There is No cure for sarcoidosis, but the majority of the people do not need treatment. Sarcoidosis may go away on their own. Other people need treatment to lower your body's immune system response. Sometimes sarcoidosis can last for years, and can cause organ damage.

Symptoms

The symptoms of sarcoidosis vary depending on which organs are affected and how badly they are affected. Sarcoidosis sometimes develops slowly over time and the causes of these symptoms that last for years. Other times, symptoms appear suddenly and disappear just as quickly. Many people with sarcoidosis have no symptoms, so the only condition is found when the chest x-ray done for another reason.

General symptoms

Sarcoidosis can start with these symptoms:

  • Extreme tiredness.
  • Mild fever.
  • Inflammation of the lymph nodes, as in the chest, the neck, armpits or groin.
  • The loss of weight.
  • The pain and swelling in the joints, such as ankles.

Pulmonary symptoms

Sarcoidosis most often affects the lungs and can cause lung problems, such as:

  • Ongoing dry cough.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • A squeaky sound when you breathe out, called wheezing.
  • Pain in the chest.

The symptoms of the skin

Sarcoidosis can cause skin problems, which can include:

  • A rash of small, itchy bumps, usually on the head, neck, or legs. The rash may be painful.
  • Open sores in the nose, the lips, the cheeks and the ears, called lesions of the skin.
  • The areas of skin that are darker or lighter.
  • Growths under the skin, especially around the scars or tattoos.

The symptoms of the eye

Sarcoidosis can affect the eyes, without causing any symptoms, so it is important to have an eye exam regularly. When the eye symptoms are present, they may include:

  • Blurred vision.
  • Pain in the eyes.
  • Watery eyes.
  • Burning, itching, or dryness of the eyes.
  • Severe redness.
  • Sensitivity to light.

Cardiac symptoms

The symptoms associated with sarcoidosis heart may include:

  • Pain in the chest.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Fainting.
  • Beats that are not regular, so-called arrhythmias.
  • Fast or pounding heartbeat, called palpitations.
  • The swelling caused by excess fluid in the body.

Nervous system symptoms

Sarcoidosis can cause symptoms related to the brain and nerves, such as:

  • Headaches.
  • The dizziness.
  • Changes in vision.
  • Confusion.
  • The weakness.
  • Nerve pain, numbness or a tingling sensation.
  • Seizures.

Other symptoms

Other symptoms are usually linked with the affected organs. Sarcoidosis can cause granulomas in any part of the body, such as the liver, spleen, muscles, bones, and joints, kidneys, and lymph nodes.

When to see a doctor

Consult a doctor or other health care professional if you have symptoms that may be sarcoidosis.

Causes

The cause of sarcoidosis is not known. Experts believe that it is the result of a mixture of genetic and environmental factors that cause the body's immune system to overreact to a substance that is not known.

Some people have changes in the genes that make their immune system more likely to overreact to triggers. Could be bacteria, viruses, chemicals or dust. This makes the immune cells that are grouped together in small collections of the swelling lumps called granulomas. As the granulomas are accumulated in an organ, the function of the organ can be affected.

Risk factors

While any person can develop sarcoidosis, factors that may increase the risk include:

  • The age and the sex. Sarcoidosis can occur at any age, but often occurs between the ages of 20 and 60 years. Women are slightly more likely to develop the disease than men.
  • Of the race. Sarcoidosis occurs most often in people of African descent and the descendant of Northern europe. African americans are more likely to have sarcoidosis in other organs, along with the lungs.
  • Work or hobbies. Working around chemicals and dust can increase your risk.
  • The history of the family. If someone in your family has had sarcoidosis, you're more likely to get the disease.

Complications

Sometimes sarcoidosis cause long-term problems.

  • Lungs. Sarcoidosis lung that is not treated can lead to scarring in the lungs, that lasts forever. This type of scarring is called pulmonary fibrosis. The pulmonary fibrosis makes it hard to breathe and sometimes causes pulmonary hypertension.
  • The eyes. The inflammation can affect almost any part of the eye. May cause damage to the retina, which over time can affect the vision. Sarcoidosis can cause cataracts and glaucoma.
  • Kidneys. Sarcoidosis can affect how the body handles calcium. Sarcoidosis can result in an excess of calcium in the blood, a condition called hypercalcemia. This can lead to the formation of kidney stones and affect how well your kidneys work. Rarely, long-term kidney disease can occur.
  • Heart. Sarcoidosis heart results in granulomas in the heart. These can cause problems with heart rhythm, blood flow and heart function. Rarely, sarcoidosis results in heart problems that can lead to death.
  • Of the nervous system. Some people with sarcoidosis develop problems related to the central nervous system. This occurs when the granulomas form in which the nerves, the brain and the spinal cord. For example, granulomas in the facial nerve can cause the paralyzed facial muscles.

Diagnosis

Sarcoidosis can be difficult to diagnose because it can't be that many of the symptoms in the early stages. When symptoms do occur, they can be very similar to those of other conditions.

Your healthcare provider will perform a physical examination and talk with you about your symptoms and possible risk factors. The health professional also listen to your heart and lungs, checks the lymph nodes, inflammation, and skin lesions.

None of the tests can specifically diagnose sarcoidosis. The tests can help rule out other conditions and show that the systems of the body can be affected by sarcoidosis. For example, you may have:

  • Blood and urine tests to check your general state of health and the kidneys and liver are working.
  • Chest X-ray to look at your lungs and heart.
  • The computed tomography (CT) of the chest to look in his lungs.
  • Lung function tests (also called pulmonary function tests, to measure the amount of air that you breathe in and out and the amount of oxygen your lungs send your blood.
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) and cardiac ultrasound to check on problems of the heart and the look in the heart of the health.
  • Eye exam to detect vision problems that can be caused by sarcoidosis.
  • Positron emission tomography (PET) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) if the sarcoidosis can affect the heart or of the central nervous system.

Other tests can be added, if necessary.

Biopsy

Your healthcare provider may take a small tissue sample called a biopsy. The sample is taken from any part of your body that can be affected by sarcoidosis. The sample is used to locate the granulomas commonly seen with the condition. For example, biopsies may be taken of the skin, lungs, and lymph nodes.

Treatment

There is No cure for sarcoidosis, but often sarcoidosis is going to go away on its own account. You may not need treatment if you have no symptoms or only mild symptoms. If you need treatment, the type of treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms and which organs are affected. The treatment can reduce the body of the response of the immune system and inflammation.

Medications

If your symptoms are severe, or the affected organs are not working properly, you may need medication. These may include:

  • Corticosteroids. These powerful drugs that reduce inflammation. Usually the first proven treatment for sarcoidosis. The drug can be administered in the form of pills or injections. In some cases, corticosteroids can be placed directly on the affected area. Examples of these types of drugs that include the cream to put in lesions of the skin or a rash, medication is inhaled into the lungs using an inhaler, and put drops in the eyes.
  • Medications that decrease the immune system's response. Drugs such as methotrexate (Trexall) and azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran) decrease inflammation by reducing the immune system's response to a shooting.
  • Hydroxychloroquine. Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) can be useful for lesions of the skin and of the high blood calcium levels.
  • The tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitors. These medicines are commonly used to treat the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis. It may also be useful in the treatment of sarcoidosis has not responded to other treatments.

Other medications may be used to treat specific symptoms or complications.

Other treatments

Depending on their symptoms or complications, you may need other treatments. For example, you may have:

  • The physical therapy to decrease fatigue and strengthen the muscles.
  • The pulmonary rehabilitation to help make breathing easier and do more activities.
  • Implanted pacemaker or a defibrillator for heart rhythm problems.

An organ transplant can be an option for some people if sarcoidosis has severely damaged the lungs, the heart or the liver.

Continuous monitoring

How often you refer to your health professional varies in function of their symptoms and treatment. See your health care professional regularly is important ― even if you do not need treatment.

Your health care professional to monitor your symptoms and check to see if you need treatment, how the treatments are working and if you have complications. Ongoing monitoring may include tests based on your condition. For example, you can adjust the x-ray, blood tests, urine tests, Ecg, and the examinations of the lungs, eyes, skin, and other organs. The follow-up care is likely that of all life.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Along with your treatment, these self-care tips can help:

  • Follow your treatment plan. Even if you begin to feel better, do not stop taking your medication without talking with your health care professional. Keep all follow-up appointments. Let your healthcare provider if you have new or worsening symptoms.
  • Make healthy lifestyle choices. These include eating a healthy diet, working towards or maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress, and getting enough sleep.
  • Get regular physical activity. Regular physical activity or exercise can boost your mood, strengthen muscles and help to reduce tiredness that can get in the way of your daily activities.
  • To avoid lung irritant. As much as possible, stay away from smoke, dust, chemicals, and other substances that irritate the lungs. If you smoke, talk with your healthcare provider about ways to quit smoking.

Coping and support

Although sarcoidosis may go away on their own, some people's lives are forever changed by the condition. If you find it difficult to cope with these changes, talk with a counselor or other mental health professional. Join a sarcoidosis support group may also help.

Preparing for your appointment

Because sarcoidosis often involves the lungs, you may be referred to a lung specialist called a pulmonologist to manage your health care. You can view other specialists as well. Taking a family member or a friend can help you remember the information.

What you can do

Here are some tips to help you prepare for your appointment and know what to expect from your health care professional.

Before your appointment, make a list of:

  • Your symptoms, including when they started and how they may have changed or worsened with time.
  • All the drugs, vitamins, herbs, or supplements that you take. Include the dose.
  • Key medical information, including other medical conditions you may have.
  • Questions to ask your health care professional.

Questions may include:

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • What kinds of tests do I need? What I have to do anything special to prepare for these tests?
  • How could this affect me?
  • What treatments are available? Which would I recommend?
  • I'm going to take medicines that could help?
  • How much time should I take the medicine?
  • What are some of the side effects of the medicine that you are suggesting?
  • I have other health conditions. How can we best manage these conditions?
  • What can I do to help myself?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have?
  • What websites do you suggest to get more information?

Feel free to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care professional may ask you:

  • What kinds of symptoms do you have? When do you start?
  • What, in any case, it makes your symptoms worse?
  • What, in any case, it makes your symptoms better?
  • Anyone in your family ever had sarcoidosis?
  • What health conditions do you have now or have had in the past?
  • What medications or supplements you take?
  • He has had jobs or hobbies that included being around substances such as chemicals, vapors, or dust?
  • Have you ever had any infection or other diseases?

Be prepared to answer questions that you have time to talk about what's most important to you.

Symptoms and treatment of Sarcoidosis