Loving Life Re-Launch 2017 lfcc_newsletter_spring_web | Page 6

HEALTH CORNER
by The Late Sister Eva Holley
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.
Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that affects one or more organs but most commonly affects the lungs
and lymph glands. Inflammation also occurs in the liver, eyes, skin, or other tissues. The cause of the disease
is unknown. However, researchers believe that the disease is caused by an abnormal immune response (the
body’s defense system does not react as it should to a foreign substance or “intruder.”) What is known about
this disease is that thet condition is more common in African Americans than Caucasians and females are
usually affected more often than males. The disease typically begins between ages 20 and 40. Sarcoidosis is
very rare in young children.
What are the symptoms of sarcoidosis?
There may be no symptoms. When symptoms occur,
they can involve almost any body part or organ
system in your body. Almost all patients have lung or
chest symptoms. Most common initial symptoms:
•
Chest Pain (most often behind the
chest bone)
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• Dry Cough that won’t go away
•
Reddish bumps or patches on the skin or
under the skin
•

Enlarged lymph glands in the chest and
around the lungs that produces cough
and shortness of breath
•
Fever, weight loss, fatigue, night sweats,
general feeling of ill health
• Joint achiness or pain (arthralgia)
Other disease characteristics include:
• Red and teary eyes or blurred vision
• Swollen and painful joints
•
Enlarged lymph glands in the neck, armpits,
and groin
• Nasal stuffiness and hoarse voice
•

Pain in the hands, feet, or other bony areas
due to the formation of cysts (an abnormal
sac-like growth) in bones
• Kidney stone formation
•

Development of abnormal or missed beats
(arrhythmias), inflammation of the covering
of the heart (pericarditis), or heart failure
•

Nervous system effects include hearing loss,
meningitis, seizures or psychiatric disorders
(e.g., dementia, depression, psychosis)
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 calcium-
rich 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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