What is sarcoidosis?
Sarcoidosis is an immune system disorder that can attack any organ. However, it is most often the lungs and lymph nodes, particularly those of the rib cage, which are affected first. Sarcoidosis is characterized by the presence of small areas (microscopic) or masses of inflamed cells called granulomas. The granulomas can grow and form larger groups in an organ which they affect the functions. We fear detect granulomas within the body, for example on the walls of the bronchi and bronchioles (air passages) in the lungs. They may also manifest as skin lesions. Sarcoidosis affects both eyes and the liver, spleen and less frequently, nerves, heart, brain, salivary glands, lacrimal glands, bones and joints.
What are the symptoms of sarcoidosis?
Sarcoidosis can cause various symptoms or cause no symptoms. Sarcoidosis is not contagious. The patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis may have a dry cough, shortness of breath and chest pain, or fatigue, weakness and weight loss.
The disease, when not localized in the lungs, can also bring the following symptoms: general malaise, loss of appetite and / or weight loss, fever, arthralgia (joint pain), rash, bloodshot eyes and scaly blood.
How do we recognize sarcoidosis?
The diagnosis of sarcoidosis is based on medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, pulmonary function and chest radiograph.
The elimination of other diseases whose symptoms are similar and a biopsy of affected organs will confirm the diagnosis. Sarcoidosis is not a type of cancer.
Is it widespread?
Sarcoidosis occurs in men as in women, but more often in the past, usually between the ages of 20 and 40 years. People of African descent and Scandinavia are more likely to develop this disease. The incidence is 1-40 victims per 100,000 persons in the United States, 20 cases in groups of 100,000 people in Great Britain, and 3-50 cases per group of 100,000 people in Europe.
How does one deal with sarcoidosis?
Many patients recover completely without treatment. When treatment is recommended, medicines called corticosteroids are used to reduce inflammation.
