Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is an immune system disorder that often occurs in young adults, and causes inflammatory granlomas or nodules to develop throughout the body. Although almost any organ can be affected by sarcoidosis, the disease usually manifests itself in the lungs or lymph nodes. People of African origin tend to bear three times the risk of developing sarcoidosis than their caucasian counterparts. The clinical course of the disease can range from a variety of asymptomatic conditions that can resolve themselves or a more debilitating condition that can lead to death.

Symptoms

Symptoms of sarcoidosis generally develop gradually, but can occur abruptly as well. Common symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, dry eyes, blurry vision, weight loss, or many other non-specific and vague symptoms. Preliminary diagnosis is based on physical examination and a chest x-ray, followed by more specific examination to exclude other similar diseases such as tuberculosis, berylliosis, fungal infections, and lymphoma.

Treatment Options

Many patients with sarcoidosis need no treatment. The symptoms are usually not disabling and often resolve themselves spontaneously. However, when therapy is recommended, the goal of therapy is the keep the lungs and other body organs working and to relieve symptoms. Cortico steroids are the most commonly prescribed mode of treatment. Most patients respond positively within a short time, but these steroids can also have negative side effects such as mood swings, swelling, and high blood pressure. Long term useage can cause damage to the stomach, skin, and bones.

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