| Sarcoidosis (also called sarcoid or Besnier-Boeck | | | | Causes of Sarcoidosis |
| disease) is a disease due to inflammation. The disease | | | | The common causes and risk factor's of Sarcoidosis |
| can attack any organ of the body in any location. | | | | include the following: |
| The disease most commonly involves granuloma | | | | The exect cause of sarcoidosis is unknown. |
| formation in the lungs. Other commonly involved | | | | A respiratory infection caused by a virus. |
| organ systems include the lymph nodes (especially | | | | An unidentified toxic substance. |
| the intrathoracic nodes); the skin; the eyes; the liver; | | | | Environmental triggers. |
| the heart; and the nervous, musculoskeletal, renal, | | | | An inherited or genetic factor. |
| and endocrine systems. It is characterized by | | | | Exposure to toxins or allergens. |
| granulomas (small rounded outgrowths made up of | | | | Noninfectious agents, such as aluminum, zirconium, |
| blood vessels, cells and connective tissues) that can | | | | talc, pine tree pollen, and clay. |
| produce many different symptoms. It is generally a | | | | Symptoms of Sarcoidosis |
| chronic disease, lasting for several years or a lifetime. | | | | Some sign and symptoms related to Sarcoidosis are |
| These tiny granulomas can grow and clump together, | | | | as follows: |
| making many large and small groups of lumps. If | | | | Shortness of breath. |
| many granulomas form in an organ, they can affect | | | | Skin problems. |
| how the organ works. The cause of sarcoidosis is | | | | Fever. |
| unknown. Symptoms can occasionally appear | | | | Lung problems. |
| suddenly but more often than not appear gradually. | | | | Mild chest pain. |
| When viewing X-rays of the lungs, sarcoidosis can | | | | Myositis. |
| have the appearance of tuberculosis or lymphoma. In | | | | Weight loss. |
| the majority of cases, these granulomas clear up, | | | | Small red bumps on your face, arms or buttocks, a |
| either with or without treatment. | | | | condition more common in blacks than in whites. |
| Sarcoidosis almost always occurs in more than one | | | | Dry cough. |
| organ at a time. Sarcoidosis is not a form of cancer. | | | | Night sweats. |
| If you have no signs or symptoms of sarcoidosis or | | | | Treatment of Sarcoidosis |
| only minor ones, a wait-and-see approach may be | | | | Here is list of the methods for treating Sarcoidosis: |
| appropriate. There are a variety of granulomatous | | | | Sarcoidosis is usually treated with steroids initially. |
| disorders that closely resemble sarcoidosis, including | | | | Drugs called corticosteroids are the most common |
| tuberculosis. Pulmonary sarcoidosis can cause loss of | | | | treatment used in fighting sarcoidosis. |
| lung volume (the amount of air the lungs can hold) | | | | Radiation has also been used to treat |
| and abnormal lung stiffness. It is more commonly | | | | treatment-resistant cutaneous lesions. |
| seen in people of African descent than Caucasians, | | | | Patients may be advised to follow a low-calcium diet, |
| primarily people of northern European descent in the | | | | and to avoid sunlight and vitamin D supplements. |
| latter case. It occurs throughout the world in any | | | | If prednisone fails to improve symptoms, other |
| race. The close resemblence to tuberuculosis has led | | | | immune-modifying agents such as methotrexate, |
| to speculation that sarcoidosis is due to an infectious | | | | azathioprine, ciclosporin, hydroxychloroquine or |
| organism. It is most common in adults between 20 | | | | chlorambucil may be used. |
| and 40 years of age. Medications that increase the | | | | Antibiotic therapy has been reported to be effective |
| Th1 response, such as interferon, have been | | | | for lung, lymph and cutaneous manifestations of |
| reported to trigger or exacerbate sarcoidosis. | | | | sarcoidosis. |
| Recently, the gli -1 oncogene has been found to be | | | | Eye and skin lesions may be managed with topical |
| highly expressed in persons with granulomatous skin | | | | corticosteroids (eye drops, creams or injections). |
| diseases, including sarcoidosis. Granulomas can | | | | Laser surgery has been used in treating disfiguring |
| decrease in number if sarcoidosis is contained | | | | skin plaques and lupus pernio. |
| spontaneously or if it responds to treatment. | | | | |