Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a disease that causes groups of inflammatory cells (granulomas) in various organs in the body. They are most often found in the lungs and lymph nodes, but they can also be found in the skin, eyes, heart, or other organs. The cause of sarcoidosis is still unknown, but it is believed that it may be caused by an abnormal response of the body’s immune system to various stimuli, such as viruses, bacteria, or chemicals.

Although there is no direct cure for sarcoidosis, most people get better with treatment or their symptoms go away on their own without treatment. However, some people may have persistent symptoms for many years and may even develop internal organ damage.

Symptoms of Sarcoidosis

In some cases, patients may not have any symptoms. But in cases where symptoms occur, they may occur suddenly and go away on their own, or they may occur gradually and last for a long time. The symptoms of sarcoidosis vary depending on the area where the disease occurs, as follows:

Symptoms that occur in the lungs

The lungs are the most likely area to develop sarcoidosis, which can cause pulmonary fibrosis, making it difficult for the patient to breathe and may cause other symptoms such as:

• Dry cough that persists for a long period of time
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Chest pain

Symptoms that occur on the skin

Sarcoidosis of the skin may cause the following symptoms:

• A rash or red or purple bumps on the skin, usually on the shins or ankles. The affected area may feel warm or tender to the touch.
• There are wounds on the nose, cheeks, or ears.
• Scarring of the skin
• The affected area of ​​skin may be darker or lighter than the rest of the skin.
• Nodules form under the skin, especially in areas with scars or tattoos.
• Hair loss or fur loss in the affected area

Symptoms occurring in the eye area

Sarcoidosis can occur around the eyes without any symptoms, but some people may experience the following symptoms:

• Blurred vision or loss of vision
• Eye pain or burning sensation in the eyes
• Dry eyes
• conjunctivitis
• Photosensitive eyes
• Abnormal tears

Sarcoidosis can also affect other parts of the body, such as the liver, kidneys, spleen, muscles, bones, joints, lymph nodes, nervous system, or other organs, which can cause the following symptoms:

• Feeling weak or faint
• Abnormal weight loss
• Joint and bone pain
• Headache, fever
• Dry mouth
• There is a nosebleed.
• Hearing loss
• There is swelling in the lymph nodes, such as the face, neck, underarms, groin, etc.
• Arrhythmia or abnormally fast heartbeat
• Have kidney stones
• Have seizures

If the patient has a persistent cough that does not improve, a rash, unexplained weight loss, feels unwell, and has chronic fatigue, they should see a doctor.

Causes of Sarcoidosis

The cause of sacoidosis is still unknown, but it is believed to be caused by genetics from family members who have a history of the disease and is stimulated by viruses, bacteria, dust, or chemicals, which cause the immune system to respond abnormally, resulting in groups of inflammatory cells (Granulomas) forming in various organs of the body, which disrupts the functioning of those organs.

In addition, factors that increase the risk of developing sarcoidosis may be related to gender, age, and race. It is more common in women than men. It can occur in people of all ages, but it is more common in people between the ages of 20-40 years and is less common in children. In addition, people of African and American or Northern European ethnicity may have a higher chance of developing sarcoidosis.

Diagnosis of Sarcoidosis

Early symptoms of sacoidosis are often asymptomatic or only mild, and may mimic other conditions such as arthritis or cancer ,  making diagnosis difficult.

Initially, the doctor will ask about symptoms, health history, and family history. Then, he will perform a preliminary physical examination by examining skin symptoms, such as red rashes or unusual bumps, examining swollen lymph nodes, listening to lung and heart sounds, and examining the liver and spleen, which may be abnormally enlarged. In some cases, the doctor may perform additional examinations using the following methods:

• Chest X-ray to check for inflammation and swelling of various organs such as the lungs, lymph nodes, heart, etc.
• A CT scan is a diagnostic test that uses a computerized tomography machine to produce detailed images of the organs inside the chest.
• MRI Scanor  PET Scan in cases of symptoms in the heart or nervous system
• Pulmonary Function Tests to measure lung function by measuring lung volume and the amount of oxygen entering the body.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) to check heart function
• Vision screening if symptoms of eye disease are present
• A skin biopsy is performed on the area where the abnormality is found and sent to a laboratory for examination.

Sarcoidosis Treatment

In some cases, sarcoidosis symptoms may go away on their own without the need for treatment if there are no symptoms or the symptoms are mild. Currently, there is no direct cure for sarcoidosis. The treatment of the disease depends on the severity of the symptoms that occur. The doctor may recommend treatment with the following methods:

Behavior Modification

Behavioral modifications may help reduce the severity of the disease, such as:

• Quit smoking and avoid exposure to dust, toxic fumes, or chemicals that may harm your lungs.
• Eat a healthy diet, especially a variety of vegetables and fruits.
• Drink enough water according to the body’s needs.
• Exercise regularly and keep your weight within the standard range.
• Get enough sleep, 6-8 hours a day.
• Regular annual health check-ups
• For patients with high levels of calcium in the blood or urine, they should avoid eating foods high in vitamin D and avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Drug use

If symptoms are severe or if the functioning of internal organs is affected, your doctor may prescribe medication, such as:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids, are the most commonly used medications to treat sarcoidosis. They are usually taken orally, but in some cases, they may be administered as eye drops or topical medications to the affected skin.
• Immunosuppressants, such as methotrexateand azathioprine, reduce inflammation by suppressing the body’s immune system .

Other medications that may be used include hydroxychloroquine, which treats skin symptoms and normalizes blood calcium levels, or rheumatoid arthritis drugs called TNF-alpha inhibitors, which are used if symptoms do not respond to other treatments.

Alternative treatment

In some cases, doctors may treat patients with other methods, depending on the symptoms and complications that occur, including surgery, organ transplants in cases where the patient has severe symptoms, such as lung, heart, or liver damage, physical therapy to reduce weakness and increase muscle strength, pulmonary rehabilitation to reduce symptoms in the respiratory system, and the use of assistive devices, such as a cardiac pacemaker implant or defibrillator for patients with arrhythmias .

People usually get better within 2 to 3 years after diagnosis, but sarcoidosis symptoms can recur after treatment. Your doctor may schedule follow-up appointments to assess the results of your treatment and check for possible complications. It’s important to keep your appointments with your doctor.

Complications of Sarcoidosis

Most people with sarcoidosis do not have complications, but they can develop chronic symptoms that can affect their health over the long term, such as:

• Pulmonary Fibrosis (sarcoidosis) If left untreated, patients will have difficulty breathing and be at risk of pulmonary hypertension (PHF).
• Inflammation in the eye can damage the retina, leading to vision loss and, in rare cases, cataracts or glaucoma.
• Kidney stonesare caused by abnormalities in the body’s calcium levels, which can reduce the efficiency of the kidneys’ function. Although rare, they can lead to kidney failure.
• Arrhythmia is an abnormality of the heart’s blood flow or function, caused by inflammation of the heart’s tissue, which can be life-threatening.
• Facial paralysis is inflammation of the nerves in the face.
• Infertility in some patients

If you experience difficulty breathing, palpitations, blurred vision, loss of vision, eye pain, photophobia, or facial numbness, see a doctor immediately, as these could be signs of serious complications.

Sarcoidosis Prevention

Sarcoidosis is a disease that still has no clear cause, making it difficult to prevent. If you are at risk of developing the disease, you should always take care of your health by eating healthy, exercising, and getting enough sleep. You should also avoid risk factors that may trigger the disease, such as smoking or exposure to harmful toxins. This may help prevent the development of sarcoidosis.