HealthTales.com

stories of sickness and recovery
Index of Diseases and Conditions: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease. It starts as tiny, grain-like lumps called granulomas, which most often appear in your lungs or lymph nodes. They can clump together and form larger lumps that attack other organs. Sarcoidosis often affects your skin, eyes or liver.

Sarcoidosis may be mild, or it can be severe and do lasting damage. It does not always cause symptoms, so you can have it without knowing it. Symptoms vary, depending on which organs are affected.

No one is sure what causes sarcoidosis. It affects men and women of all ages and races worldwide. However, it occurs mostly in people ages 20 to 40, African Americans, especially women, and people of Asian, German, Irish, Puerto Rican and Scandinavian origin.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Sarcoidosis on Wikipedia

'''Sarcoidosis''' is an uncommon autoimmune disorder of unknown cause. The disease is characterised by the presence of microscopic non-necrotising granulomas (small inflammatory nodules) which can appear almost anywhere in the body. In many patients granulomas appear in the lungs or the lymph nodes. Symptoms can occasionally appear suddenly but more often than not appear gradually. When viewing chest X-ray, sarcoidosis can have the appearance of tuberculosis or lymphoma.

Epidemiology

Sarcoidosis occurs throughout the world in any race. It is more commonly seen in blacks than whites, primarily people of northern European descent in the latter case. Pulmonary involvement is the most common presentation of sarcoidosis.

Signs and symptoms

Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease that can affect any organ. Common symptoms are vague, such as fatigue unchanged by sleep, asthenia, aches and pains, xerophthalmia, blurry vision, dyspnea, a dry hacking cough or skin lesions. The cutaneous symptoms are protean, and range from rashes and noduli (small bumps) to erythema nodosum or lupus pernio. Renal, liver, heart or brain involvement may cause further symptoms and altered functioning. Manifestations in the eye include uveitis and retinal inflammation, which may result in loss of visual acuity or blindness. Sarcoidosis affecting the brain or nerves is known as neurosarcoidosis. Hypercalcemia (high calcium in biology levels) and its symptoms may be the result of excessive vitamin D production. Sarcoidosis most often manifests as a restrictive disease of the lungs, causing a decrease in lung volume and decreased compliance (the ability to stretch). The vital capacity (full breath in, to full breath out) is decreased, and most of this air can be blown out in the first second. This means the spirometry|FEV1/FVC ...   [ Read More ]


External Resources

Life and Breath Foundation: In Search of a Cure for Sarcoidosis - Through its fundraising and educational activities, this foundation is committed to the research of sarcoidosis in the hope of finding a cure.

Let's Breathe - Promotes public awareness of sarcoidosis to educate patients, families and friends and the medical community. Includes clinical details, support groups, sarcoid links, newsletter and sarcoidosis related events worldwide.

National Sarcoidosis Resource Center - US-based organisation disseminating sarcoidosis news and information worldwide. Includes newsletter, images, resource guide, support group and order form for purchasing videos, books and sarcoidosis awareness ribbons.

Sarcoidosis Center - Hosted by a pulmonologist whose main interest is sarcoidosis, this site is designed for both patient and physician with an aim to link the sarcoid community for improved communication to share resources and knowledge. Features detailed explanations of sarcoidosis, references, FAQ, literature, names and address for medical and emotional support, as well as relevant internet links.

Sarcoidosis - An extensive list of links from disease information to medical articles. Includes case studies and may be of particular assistance to physicians or those seeking more clinical information.

Sarcoidosis - General information on sarcoidosis and some of its manifestations.

Sarcoidosis: A Medical Mystery - Information on the disease, statistics, tests and medications, with a personal touch from the author on how it affected her life. Site also has support group and links to other resources.

Sarcoidosis, Vasculitis and Diffuse Lung Diseases - The official journal of the World Association of Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Disorders (WASOG). Includes information on sarcoidosis, the first annual conference, and details of the bi-yearly journal.

Neurosarcoidosis - A detailed guide to this rare manifestation of sarcoidosis. Includes forum, support group, links, tests, medications and detailed information on this rare disease.

PulmonologyChannel: Sarcoidosis - Quite detailed information on the disease, diagnosis, symptoms and treatment of sarcoid, as well as a "Find a Pulmonologist" feature and links to more detailed information.



Share your story:

Your name

Your location

Your story