Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis:

It is also known as sarcoid. It can appear in the lungs, lymph nodes, liver and skin. This is an inflammatory problem that begins in lungs but it can affect other organs in the body, such as skin, nervous system, liver, eyes and heart. Some patients can experience signs and symptoms like problem in breath, but others may feel no signs and symptoms.

It can often affect the adults, whose ages are more than 20 but less than 40. Black Americans and people from Scandinavian descent are mainly affected from this disease. Some people may have no symptoms or some have symptoms for a lifetime. In severe cases, corticosteroid drug can be used to treat the disease.

Causes:

There is no main cause of Sarcoidosis, although it can develop due to overreact of immune system to drug, unknown toxin or pathogen that transmits the body through lungs or airways. According to some researchers, it can be caused by nontuberculous mycobacterium. The work of immune system is help to protect the body from microorganisms such as viruses or bacteria. But in this disease, white blood cells (T-helper lymphocytes) play the main role in immune system.

Risk factors:

Ethnicity: people from German, Scandinavian or Irish descent have high risk to develop the Sarcoidosis.

Race: It can be affected mainly black Americans more than white Americans. And black women have more chance to get the disease as black men.

Age: Normally, this disease can occur in adults whose ages are between 20 to 40. Sometimes, it can affect children, but mainly occur in adults who are more than 50 years.

Signs and symptoms:-

1. Watery and eyes are in red color

Weight body loss

Excessive fatigue and discomfort a vague feeling

Arthritis in one’s elbows, hands, ankles and wrists

High fever

Small bumps in red color on arms, face or buttocks

Shortness of breath

Diagnosis:

Pulmonary function tests: These tests are very effective to diagnose the disease. It is used to measure the flow of air in lungs and how much air it can hold. A spirometer instrument is used by the doctor to measure the quantity of gases. In some cases, X-ray is preferred by the doctor to determine the problem.

Bronchoscopy: In this test, a thin flexible tube is used by the doctor to check the flow of air and a small sample of tissue is taken and send it to laboratory for examine. Changes in tissue sample may help to diagnose the Sarcoidosis.

Mediastinoscopy: A small sample of lymph nodes can be removed by the surgeon from the mediastinum. It is very expensive and effective to diagnose the disease.

Blood tests: In some cases, Blood tests are used by the doctor to check the amount of calcium and functions of liver. High ACE levels can result of Sarcoidosis.

Treatment:

An anti-inflammatory drug such as corticosteroid drug prednisone will be preferred by the health care providers to treat the disease. There is no need of medication for people with sarcoidosis. If there are mild signs and symptoms of sarcoidosis, it can often disappear on its own. Prednisone is recommended in case of severe sarcoidosis. Patient should not use it as high dose. There are some side-effects, in case of taking a dose for long term:

Diabetes

Hypertension

Higher risk of infection

Increased in body weight

Osteoporosis

Cataracts

Prevention:

Patients should avoid smoking.

Patients should avoid contact with dust, chemicals and other irritants.

Patients should go to the doctor for regular checkups.

Patients should keep healthy lungs.