Sarcoidosis Disease

The sarcoidosis disease starts off in what is called as the granulomas, which are tiny bulbous lumps, the size of grains, present in the lymph nodes and lungs. They cluster together and form bigger lumps, thus attacking other organs as they enlarge. The tissues when inflamed, can affect organs like the eyes, liver, bones, heart, nervous system and skin, resulting in inflammation that is highly progressive and can attack other organs as a result. Sarcoidosis disease and brain damage are interlinked as well, which is when the granulomas appear in the meninges of the brain, which is the protective membrane that shields it. The initial stage takes place in the lymph nodes or lungs, and can appear at any one time; this can disappear on its own without any given treatment, depending on how the body reacts to this inflammation disease and disorder. The symptoms can suddenly spring upon a person, when it takes a hold of his/her system. The granulomas can shrink and disappear on its own, but in others it can remain and turn into scarred tissue in the long run.

The most susceptible gene structures to have sarcoidosis are African Americans, where chronic cases of this disease are evident, and not so much as in the case of Caucasians. The effects of the disease are quite severe to their health, showcasing symptoms that then show visible signs on the outside of one's body. It can worsen conditions like hypercalciuria and hypercalcemia, if one gets too much of vitamin D through food sources, supplements or sunlight, they can suffer and escalate their condition to another level, since when under the effects of sarcoidosis, their systems are sensitive to vitamin D.

Sarcoidosis Disease Causes

There are actually no known definitive causes as to why this disease takes place, but there are evaluated suggestions that are linked to the possible reasons of bringing on this disease.

Genetics
There have been tests done to find out if one's genes can be susceptible to sarcoidosis, and the results show that they do play a major role. There have been two genes found in white women that are associated with this disease, alleles (dominant gene structures) like HLA-DR3 and HLA-A1 are known to be more prone to falling prey to this condition, including twins who are monozygotic and dizygotic in nature.

Environmental Factors
The agent behind this could be infectious in nature, with many organisms as the possible starters of this disease. These include, propionibacterium acnes, mycoplasma species, mycobacteria, Epstein-Barr virus, histoplasma , rubella, cytomegalovirus and so on. Other factors that can also fuel the formation of granulomas, are clay, aluminum, pine tree pollen, zirconium and so on.

Sarcoidosis Disease Symptoms

The signs that show forth when one is under the disease's control, can fall between not so serious, and severe cases. In order to understand how to read the signs and act upon them, you need to be on red alert for any kind of change in your body's every functioning.

* Lymph nodes start to swell
* Shortness of breath
* Weight loss
* Blurred vision
* Fatigue
* Eyes turn red
* Fever
* Dry cough that is recurrent
* Chest pain
* Lymph nodes turn tender and grow in size
* Wheezing
* Joint pain
* Lumps that are tender to the touch appear on the shins
* Skin turns either a lighter or darker shade
* Skin rash appears on either the ankles or shins; tender/warm when touched
* Pain residing in the eyes
* Lesions around the ears, nose or cheeks
* Tattoos or scars can showcase nodule growth
* Light sensitivity

Sarcoidosis Disease Prognosis

There are a series of tests that are carried out when one is experiencing the onset of this disease, or when going for tests to evaluate the condition after it has escalated. These include.

* Chest X ray
* Pulmonary function tests
* Physical examinations
* Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy Biopsy
* Blood tests
* MR scan
* Bronchoalveolar Lavage
* Thallium and Gallium Scans
* Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy
* CT scan
* Eye testing
* PET scan
* Heart tests

The doctors in charge will evaluate the results of these various diagnostic tests and come to a conclusive basis on what has to be done, or what the next step in the process is. Unfortunately, there is no cure for the sarcoidosis disease once it reached a stage that is too severe for doctors to handle. It either gets worse over time, or is fatal in some cases. In other cases it can resolve before you even realize that you have this condition, and can clear up instantly over time with no real sarcoidosis treatment required. Anti inflammatory painkillers or steroids are given to patients, which are helpful and relieving. Regular tests are needed to help the patient cope with this condition so as to evaluate if medicated treatment is working on the system. Drugs like infliximab or methotrexate are administered in more severe cases.

Sarcoidosis disease isn't a condition that can be handled effectively if caught in its later stages. That is why it is important to have one checked out especially if you find yourself more prone to this, when it comes to genetics. Regular tests are also important to help keep up with the progression of this condition.

By Naomi Sarah