What is sarcoidosis?

I have Sarc. I have had it for years going on 16 in fact. it has affect my lungs, eyes , nerves system, female organs, skin, and just about any and everything else you can imagine. I'm now awaiting a lung transplant as it has taken over my lungs. your lungs have like honey combs running through them well these things called granulomes build up in there and clog them up and make your lungs hard to function such as not so pliable...you really don't have a cough, but feel as if you want to all the time. I'm in forth stage which alot of people do not necesarly get this far, Sarc typically will heal itsellf if given time. However if it doesn't, your doc will ask you to take Prednisone, I would suggest reading about Prednisone before taking it. There are some really good support groups on the web here and I belong to several of them I suggest you go to them and read the first one is. sarcinfo.com this is run by a doctor and gives an alteritive to curing sarc. this is also choke full of info from others who have the same Dx there is alot to read and don't think you will do it in one day there are boxes at the top read those first then take a look at the forum, you will learn alot there from others, like what to eat , what not to eat some great recipes and such. Then I belong to a wonderful support group you need to visit we have chat every Tuesday night and Thursday night ...there one other but can't remember it the addy on that one is http://www.msnusers.com/Sarcoidconnectio... Please contact me

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disorder that most often affects individuals between 20 and 40 years of age. Females appear to be affected more frequently than males. Sarcoidosis is characterized by the abnormal formation of inflammatory masses or nodules (granulomas) consisting of certain granular white blood cells (modified macrophages or epithelioid cells) in certain organs of the body. The granulomas that are formed are thought to alter the normal structure of and, potentially, the normal functions of, the affected organ(s), causing symptoms associated with the particular body system(s) in question. In individuals with sarcoidosis, such granuloma formation most commonly affects the lungs. However, in many cases, the upper respiratory system, lymph nodes, skin, and/or eyes may be involved. In addition, in some cases, other organs may be affected, including the liver, bone marrow, spleen, musculoskeletal system, heart, salivary glands, and/or nervous system (i.e., central or peripheral nervous system).

chronic disease characterized by tumorous nodules on various parts of the body

Sarcoidosis involves inflammation that produces tiny lumps of cells in various organs in your body. The lumps are called granulomas because they look like grains of sugar or sand. They are very small and can be seen only with a microscope.

These tiny granulomas can grow and clump together, making many large and small groups of lumps. If many granulomas form in an organ, they can affect how the organ works. This can cause symptoms of sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis can occur in almost any part of your body, although it usually affects some organs more than others. It usually starts in one of two places:

Lungs
Lymph nodes, especially the lymph nodes in your chest cavity.
Sarcoidosis also often affects your:

Skin
Eyes
Liver.
Less often, sarcoidosis affects your:

Spleen
Brain
Nerves
Heart
Tear glands
Salivary glands
Bones and joints.
Rarely, sarcoidosis affects other organs, including your:

Thyroid gland
Breasts
Kidneys
Reproductive organs.
Sarcoidosis almost always occurs in more than one organ at a time.

Sarcoidosis has an active and a nonactive phase:

In the active phase, the granulomas form and grow. In this phase, symptoms can develop, and scar tissue can form in the organs where the granulomas occur.
In the nonactive phase, the inflammation goes down, and the granulomas stay the same size or shrink. But the scars may remain and cause symptoms.
The course of the disease varies greatly among people.

In many people, sarcoidosis is mild. The inflammation that causes the granulomas may get better on its own. The granulomas may stop growing or shrink. Symptoms may go away within a few years.
In some people, the inflammation remains but doesn't get worse. You may also have symptoms or flare-ups and need treatment every now and then.
In other people, sarcoidosis slowly gets worse over the years and can cause permanent organ damage. Although treatment can help, sarcoidosis may leave scar tissue in the lungs, skin, eyes, or other organs. The scar tissue can affect how the organs work. Treatment usually does not affect scar tissue.

Good Luck hope this helps!

Sarcoidosis
About Sarcoidosis
What Causes Sarcoidosis?
What Are The Symptoms Of Sarcoidosis?
How Is Sarcoidosis Diagnosed?
How Serious Is Sarcoidosis?
Who Gets Sarcoidosis?
What Body Sites Does Sarcoidosis Attack?
What Is The Common Course Of Sarcoidosis?
What Is The Treatment For Sarcoidosis?
What Can The Sarcoidosis Patient Do?
In Summary



--------------------------------------...

ABOUT SARCOIDOSIS

Sarcoidosis is a disease due to inflammation.

The disease can attack any organ of the body in any location. The disease is characterized by the presence of granulomas, small areas of inflamed cells. They can be either inside the body or on the body's exterior, appearing as sores on the face or shins. But sarcoidosis is most frequently found in the lungs.

Pulmonary sarcoidosis can cause loss of lung volume (the amount of air the lungs can hold) and abnormal lung stiffness.

Granulomas can appear on the walls of the alveoli (small air sacs in the lungs) or on the walls of the bronchioles (breathing tubes in the lungs). They also appear in the lymph nodes in the chest, causing them to enlarge.

WHAT CAUSES SARCOIDOSIS?

No one yet knows what causes sarcoidosis.

It is thought by most scientists to be a disorder of the immune system, where the body's natural defense system malfunctions.

Some physicians believe that sarcoidosis may result from a respiratory infection caused by a virus. Others suspect that exposure to toxins or allergens in the environment is to blame. Researchers are looking for answers to this and many other questions about sarcoidosis.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SARCOIDOSIS?

In pulmonary sarcoidosis, patients may have a dry cough (without sputum), shortness of breath, or mild chest pain.

In those cases where symptoms do appear outside the lung, they can include a scaly rash, red bumps on the legs, fever, soreness of the eyes, and pain and swelling of the ankles.

There can also be more general symptoms like fatigue, weakness, fever, and weight loss. These symptoms are common in many other lung diseases, so diagnosis may be difficult.

HOW IS SARCOIDOSIS DIAGNOSED?

Any of the symptoms listed in the previous section may lead a physician to consider sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis is initially diagnosed based on a physical examination, laboratory tests, pulmonary function studies, and a chest X-ray. When enlargement of lymph glands in the center of the lungs is seen on X-ray, sarcoidosis may be suspected.

To confirm the diagnosis, a biopsy is usually performed on any of the affected organs or from material in a granuloma on the skin.

HOW SERIOUS IS SARCOIDOSIS?

In over half the cases, sarcoidosis appears briefly and heals naturally. Sometimes the patient doesn't even know or do anything about it. From 20 to 30 percent of pulmonary sarcoidosis patients are left with permanent lung damage. And for a small percentage of patients, their sarcoidosis can become chronic, lasting for many years.

No one can predict how sarcoidosis will affect an individual patient. but several things are certain that may reassure the patient. Sarcoidosis is not contagious. And there is no evidence that it can be inherited, and passed from parents to children.

WHO GETS SARCOIDOSIS?

Sarcoidosis is found throughout the world among almost all races and ages and in both sexes. However, it is most common among African Americans and northern European whites.

Sarcoidosis is mainly a disease of young adults -- patients between the ages of 20 and 40 -- although a few persons past 60 have been known to contract it.

In the United States, a higher percentage of African Americans than whites has sarcoidosis, and the disease is usually more serious in them. The prevalence of sarcoidosis is eight times greater in African Americans than in whites in the U.S.

WHAT BODY SITES DOES SARCOIDOSIS ATTACK?

Ninety percent of the cases of sarcoidosis are found in the lungs.

Other commonly affected sites are:



Skin

Liver

Lymph glands

Spleen

Eyes

Nervous system, including the brain

Musculoskeletal system (the muscles and bones in the body)

Heart

Kidneys
WHAT IS THE COMMON COURSE OF SARCOIDOSIS?

In most cases of sarcoidosis that have no symptoms, the disease "burns itself out," disappearing with little or no notice to the patient or physician.

If pulmonary sarcoidosis is serious, it can develop into pulmonary fibrosis (the abnormal formation of fiber-like scar tissue in the lung). This actually distorts the structure of the lungs and can interfere with breathing, especially the ability to exchange oxygen in the lungs.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR SARCOIDOSIS?

In a majority of patients, the disease spontaneously disappears, and no treatment is necessary.

When therapy is recommended, the main goal is to keep the lungs and other affected body organs working, and to relieve symptoms. Drugs called corticosteroids are the most common treatment used in fighting sarcoidosis.

Some physicians prescribe steroids when there are no symptoms but just abnormalities seen on the chest x-ray and in lung function measurements.

Other physicians wait for symptoms to appear before prescribing corticosteroids.

Frequent check-ups are important so the doctor can monitor the illness and, if necessary, adjust the treatment.

WHAT CAN THE SARCOIDOSIS PATIENT DO?

The sarcoidosis patient should follow his or her doctor's directions. This frequently can be just continuation of a normal lifestyle. When drugs are prescribed, they should be taken faithfully, just as the physician directs.

It is particularly important that sarcoidosis patients do not smoke.

IN SUMMARY

Most people with sarcoidosis can lead a normal life. The sarcoidosis patient should follow his or her doctor's directions. When drugs are prescribed, they should be taken faithfully just as the physician directs.

It is particularly important that sarcoidosis patients do not smoke, and avoid exposure to dust adn chemicals that can harm the lungs.

Even after sarcoidosis heals, and symptoms go away, patients should have a check-up and an eye exam every year.

Please see the webpages for more details on Sarcoidosis.

Looks as if the previous answers cover it! I have/had sarcoidosis
stage 3 but made a good recovery over past 3 years taking prednisilone. It took a long time to diagnose it, and I coughed so much I kept dislocating my jaw (ouch!), it affected my lungs , lymph nodes and skin. Email me if you need to ask any questions, I am in uk.
Most people respond to treatment or it clears up by itself but you may feel pretty exhausted in the interim, I had 8 months off work.