Understanding Sarcoidosis By Claire Kindred
Sarcoidosis: 'Sarco- flesh; Eidos- like; Osis- condition.'
"Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disorder of an unknown origin, characterized by an accumulation of lymphocytes and mononuclear phagocytes which induce the formation of noncaseating epithelial granulomas with secondary derangement of normal tissue or organ anatomy and function."
-Dr.Al-Hussain M. Assiri , MBBS, A Specialist in internal medicine &Rheumatology (Medi-scape)
In other words, Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease wherein the immune system goes into overdrive. Sarcoidosis can affect nearly every organ in the body by causing cells to group together into clumps called "granulomas".
CAUSES OF SARCOIDOSIS:
The exact cause of Sarcoidosis is currently unknown; however, it is known that it can be triggered by such things as viral infections, chemical exposure, or certain drugs.
(www.ePainAsssist.com)
- Approximate prevalence is estimated to be at around 10 to 20 cases per population of 100,000.
- It is estimated that there are more than 200,000 people living with Sarcoidosis in the US today.
- It occurs mostly in people ages 20 to 50.
- Incidence peaks in winter and early spring.
- Non-smokers, women, and people of African decent tend to be at greater risk of contracting Sarcoidosis.
(www.chestnet.org/sarcoid)
Immune Response:
- T-helper cell to T-suppressor cell ratio is increased in response to newly formed granuloma.
- The effects of the granulomas and T-cells battling begins to damage the surrounding tissue.
- The antigenic trigger in the helper T-cell and macrophage agents fight the inflammatory response.
- This process is repeated throughout all the body's effected organs.
(CDC)
Diagnoses:
Exaggerated T-cell activity indicates an altered immune response, and is key to diagnosing Sarcoidosis. Other tests to diagnose sarcoidosis include chest x-rays, lung function tests, and a biopsy.
(www.chestnet.org/sarcoid)
Generalized Symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Weight loss
- Trouble breathing
- Skin irritation and rash
- Pain & inflammation of the eyes
(Mayo Clinic & Medi-scape)
The growth of tiny collections of inflammatory cells in different parts of the body. (Mayo Clinic)
Treatment:
Sarcoidosis can't be cured or prevented, but treatment may help...
- Sarcoidosis often goes away on its own.
- Minimal treatment is needed in most cases.
- However, for some, it may last for years and lead to organ damage.
- The good news is, with good medical treatment most cases of Sarcoidosis are not severe and do not cause any lasting damage to the body.
- In more than half of cases, Sarcoidosis only lasts for 12 to 36 months and resolves itself without and formal medical treatment.
- Medical treatment for Sarcoidosis include prescriptions such as, Steroids Prednisolone (Orapred) or Halobetasol (Halonate), Fluocinonide (Vanos), Betamethasone (Luxiq), Clobetasol (Clobex) for the specific area of inflammation.
(Mayo Clinic)
Works cited:
- Medi-Scape.org -Dr.Al-Hussain M. Assiri , MBBS, A Specialist in internal medicine &Rheumatology
- Mayo Clinic -www.mayoclinic.org/diseases.../sarcoidosis/
- www.ePainAsssist.com
- www.chestnet.org/sarcoid
- www.infographic.org/med/sar/.684inp...
- DAC -Disease Awareness Center of the USA
- CDC official website