It is a medical condition in which there is inflammation on the lymph nodes, liver, lungs, eyes or skin and underlying tissues.
Causes :
The exact cause for sarcoidosis is not known. But when the lymph nodes or any other internal organ gets inflamed, tiny clumps of tissue are formed inside. Very often it affects your lungs.
Some believe that this disorder is hereditary (passed to offspring by parents). There is also chance for getting this condition if you work in the atmosphere prone to high sensitivity. If the person has extreme immunity, it may cause infection and swelling in the lungs. Normally, this disease affects people of age group 20-40 and is very rare on children. It is popular among African Americans and Caucasians.
Symptoms :
This disease may be asymptomatic (without any symptoms). But when there is some signs of infection, it can affect any internal part. If the lungs are infected, the person may get mild to moderate chest pain, dry cough, and shortness of breath, fever, fatigue and overall discomfort.
If the skin surface is affected, he may develop rashes on the skin, hair loss, followed by appearance of skin sores on his legs. Headache and occasional seizure are reported if the nervous system gets infected. If there is infection in the eyes, there can be burning sensation, dry eyes, itching, swelling of eyes and whitish discharge from the eyes. Occasionally, the person may faint due to breathlessness.
Tests :
Your doctor will look for enlarged liver and spleen during physical examination. He may also check for abnormal breathing sound. Since the disease can infect any organ, several tests has to be done for identifying the disease. CT scan, Chest X-ray and Lung gallium scan are done if the lungs are infected. Blood test, liver function test and serum phosphorous test is done for some patients.
Pictures of Sarcoidosis :
Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Sarcoidosis
Treatment :
Normally, no treatment is required for sarcoidosis since the infection will heal on its own or by body’s immunity. However, treatment is to be done depending on the condition of the patient and the organ which is infected. Initially the person will be put on corticosteroids for a week. For some patients, immunosuppressant medicines (methotrexate, azathioprine) are given. Hydoxychloroquinine is recommended for treating skin disorders of sarcoidosis. In case of severe infection, the organ has to be removed or transplanted.
Prognosis :
Most of the patients will get better without taking any treatment. However if the lung is infected severely, causing lung tissue damage, heart failure and lung scarring which may be fatal.