How is sarcoidosis diagnosed ? There is no single test that can diagnose it . However , the classic sign of the disease is the formation of granulomas ( abnormal masses or nodules consisting of inflamed tissue ) in one or more of the major organs of the body . Sarcoidosis-related granulomas are not different from granulomas that occur in other diseases . As a result , a complete physical exam and medical history — including occupational history , medication history , and environmental exposures — must be made before concluding that the illness is , in fact , sarcoidosis .
How is sarcoidosis treated ? There is no cure for sarcoidosis , but the disease may get better on its own over time . Many people with sarcoidosis have mild symptoms and do not require any treatment at all . Treatment , when it is needed , generally falls into two categories : 1 ) maintenance of good health practices and 2 ) drug treatment .
Good health practices include : 1 )
• Getting regular check-ups with your health care provider
• Eating a well-balanced diet with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables
• Drinking 8 to 10 8-ounce glasses of water a day
• Getting 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night
• Exercising regularly , and managing and maintaining your weight
• Quitting smoking
• Avoiding exposure to dust , chemicals , fumes , gases , toxic inhalants , and other substances that can harm your lungs
• Avoiding excessive amounts of calciumrich foods ( such as dairy products , oranges , and canned salmon with bones ), vitamin D , and sunlight . Daily sunbathing is an example of excessive sunlight and should be avoided ; sunlight received from activities of everyday living is acceptable .
2 )
Drug treatments are used to relieve symptoms , reduce the inflammation of the affected tissues , reduce the impact of granuloma development , and prevent the development of lung fibrosis and other irreversible organ damage . Corticosteroids are particularly effective in reducing inflammation , and are typically the first drugs used in treating sarcoidosis . The oral corticosteroid , prednisone , is the most commonly used corticosteroid . For patients who cannot take prednisone or for whom a longer course of treatment is necessary , there are other antiinflammatory medications that can be used .
( Note : This advice is limited to patients with high blood or urine levels of calcium .)
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