Pronounced sar-coy-dough-sis, it is a chronic condition that may affect almost any part of the body.

Sarcoidosis is characterized by a persistent nodular inflammation of the involved tissues. Lungs, lymph nodes, eyes, skin, liver and spleen are most often involved, but almost any tissue or organ of the body may be affected.

Cause

The cause of sarcoidosis is still unknown. It was once thought to be a form of tuberculosis but this is now known not to be the case. Most evidence suggests that sarcoidosis represents a reaction of the body to some as yet unidentified environmental agent or agents. Viruses have been implicated, but definite proof is lacking.

It is possible that people with sarcoidosis have a disorder of their immune mechanisms that makes them susceptible to the disease. In such a situation, it is postulated that the inhalation of some environmental agent stimulates the immune system to produce an inflammatory response as an attempt to rid the body of this inhaled triggering factor. This immune reaction in the tissues is responsible for creating the inflammatory nodules which characterize the condition known as sarcoidosis.

Although sarcoidosis is characterized by the presence of nodular swellings in the involved tissues, there is no evidence to suggest that it is a malignant disease. Nevertheless, the inflammatory nodules of sarcoidosis can interfere with normal functioning of the involved tissues and organs.

It is important to realize that sarcoidosis is not a contagious disease. You cannot catch sarcoidosis from someone who has it, nor can you transmit it to another individual.

Who Gets Sarcoidosis?

Anyone can get sarcoidosis, but it tends to be more common in women than men, and between the ages of 20-40. In North America, blacks are involved more frequently than whites, but this is not the case in other countries.

Remember that sarcoidosis is not a contagious disease, so people who have it need take no special precautions to guard against its transmission.

Even with fairly extensive sarcoidosis, people can usually continue to work. However, if sarcoidosis enters a chronic stage, lung insufficiency and/or heart failure may result and can bedisabling.

How it Attacks

Because sarcoidosis can affect virtually any organ or tissue of the body, it may be present in many and varied ways. When sarcoidosis affects the lungs sometimes there are no symptoms at all, and the disease is discovered incidentally from a chest x-ray taken for another reason. At other times, shortness of breath, cough, chest pain or a sense of heaviness in the chest may signal its presence. Sores on the skin, enlarged lymph glands and visual disturbances are other ways the disease may present.

Sarcoidosis is a disease that often improves spontaneously, although this may take several months. Indeed, by far the majority of people with sarcoidosis get well without any treatment. Others, however, may require treatment if the sarcoidosis involves vital organs such as the eyes, heart, or kidneys. Treatment may be necessary for varying periods of time, from several months to indefinitely.

Although sarcoidosis usually heals itself, or responds to therapy, a few people are destined to become permanently disabled because of lung or heart failure or both. Other consequences may be blindness from glaucoma, disfigurement of the skin and kidney failure.

How Sarcoidosis is Diagnosed

When sarcoidosis involves the lungs, it may be recognized by your doctor from the characteristic appearance seen on chest x-ray. When the x-ray appearance is atypical, biopsy of the Iungs at bronchoscopy or at surgery may be required to confirm the diagnosis. Biopsies of lymph glands, the liver, salivary glands or the skin may be necessary in other situations.

Treatment

There is no specific cure for sarcoidosis. Generally it must run its course and this may take several months. Remember that most cases of sarcoidosis heal spontaneously and require no specific treatment at all. If the doctor feels that treatment is necessary for a given case, the usual drugs chosen are cortisone-like medications such as Prednisone. These drugs are chosen because of their powerful anti-inflammatory properties which help to suppress the inflammation of sarcoidosis and melt away the inflammatory nodules. Treatment of sarcoidosis may need to be prolonged, and flare ups may occasionally occur when the treatment stops.

Medication is usually indicated whenever the lung involvement is sufficient to producesignificant breathlessness or distressing cough. Medication is also required whenever vision is threatened or when the heart or kidneys are involved.

Although cortisone medications have well-recognized side effects such as facial puffiness, aggravation of peptic ulcers and thinning of the bones, their use is justified in sarcoidosis in order to prevent permanent organ damage due to unchecked inflammation and scarring. Usually it is possible to select doses of cortisone which are associated with very minimal side effects. These reactions are not permanent and will subside once the cortisone can be safely withdrawn.

Prevention

Since it is not known what causes sarcoidosis, there is no known way to prevent its occurence in a given individual. As continuing research into the nature of sarcoidosis expands our knowledge, prevention or cure may both some day be feasible.

Remember:

1. Sarcoidosis may be minor, but it can be a serious disease. It can damage your lungs, heart, eyes, and other vital organs. See your doctor if you suspect sarcoidosis.
2. If you have sarcoidosis, it is best to avoid too much direct sunlight. Vitamin D sensitivity may occur with sarcoidosis, and excessive exposure to sunlight can result in increased calcium in the blood which may in turn produce kidney damage.
3. Because sarcoidosis can be a serious disease, it is important for you to follow your physician’s instructions with regard to frequency of office visits or taking of medications.
4. DON’T SMOKE. Continued smoking definitely causes lung damage, and this can be even more disabling if you have sarcoidosis.