The condition can affect any organ, but cases are typically found in the lungs.
This article explains what sarcoidosis is, as well as its symptoms, causes, and complications.
What Is Sarcoidosis?
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
Sarcoidosis is a rare disease.
Research estimates that there are fewer than 200,000 cases each year in the United States.
In severe cases, sarcoidosis can be life-threatening.
DermNet NZ
Sarcoidosis Symptoms
There are nine types of sarcoidosis, each affecting a different part of the body.
Sometimes people with the condition will be asymptomatic, making sarcoidosis hard to diagnose.
Symptoms can be serious at any stage.
Verywell / Gary Ferster
Patients at any stage can experience involvement of other organs.
The exact role of autoimmunity in sarcoidosis is not clear yet.
Another theory suggests that sarcoidosis may be due to a bacterial infection.
In addition, a patient’s age and race can provide a clue to the potential diagnosis.
That said, in some cases, the physical exam findings are more obvious.
Sometimes, two different organs are biopsied to help make the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.
Likewise, note if your disease seems to go into remission.
Stay in touch with your healthcare provider and keep them informed.
This way, if your disease worsens, they can come up with appropriate treatment.
For many, recovery typically occurs on its own without medical intervention.
However, that only occurs in roughly 1% to 8% of sarcoidosis cases.
Coping
Sarcoidosis comes with health challenges that can be difficult to cope with.
A support group can be a big help in coping with the condition and the effects on your life.
Consider discussing symptoms with loved ones and finding creative outlets for stress like painting and journaling.
Summary
Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that causes white blood cells to form into clusters called granulomas.
Symptoms vary according to which organ is affected, and the disease can range from mild to potentially life-threatening.
Some cases of sarcoidosis may resolve on their own, while others will require ongoing treatment.
American Lung Association.Learn about sarcoidosis.
doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.201707-564OT
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Association.Sarcoidosis.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Pulmonary sarcoidosis.
Tadros M, Forouhar F, Wu GY.Hepatic sarcoidosis.
24(5):513-520. doi:10.1097/MCP.0000000000000504
Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research.Understanding cardiac sarcoidosis: diagnosis and treatment.
Yang SJ, Salek S, Rosenbaum JT.Ocular sarcoidosis: new diagnostic modalities and treatment.Curr Opin Pulm Med.
23(5):458-467.
Sept-Oct 2023.Indian J Dermatol.56(5):568-72. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.87158
Cedars-Sinai.Neurosarcoidosis.
12(7):e0179980.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0179980
American Lung Association.Treating and managing sarcoidosis.
