SARCOIDOSIS

TYPES

• Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

This type of sarcoidosis deals with the lungs. It is the most common form of sarcoidosis, and most patients experience this type. Having granulomas in your lungs can lead to shortness of breath, persistent cough, chest pains, wheezing, and due to inflammation, it eventually can lead to “bronchiectasis,” where the bronchial tubes of your lungs are permanently damaged, and it just allows anything like mucus and bacteria which results in frequent infections and blockage of airways.

• Ocular Sarcoidosis

Ocular sarcoidosis affects the eyes. 50% of sarcoidosis patients experience this type. Symptoms vary according to the affected parts, but one of the most significant complications of this type is “uveitis.” It is the inflammation of the “uvea,” the middle layer of the eye that is composed of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. Uveitis can cause redness, swelling, pain, and even vision abnormalities. If you don’t seek medical help, it can lead to other diseases, and it could leave you with the loss of vision.

• Neurosarcoidosis

Neurosarcoidosis is a rare type of sarcoidosis, and it already reaches the nervous system. Only 5 to 15 patients have experienced this type. Since it affects the nerves, it has a wide variety of symptoms. It usually affects the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, which are all hormone-producing parts of the brain. It can also affect a woman’s menstrual cycle. Neurosarcoidosis can also affect the peripheral nerves, which are connected to the body’s motor system. Granulomas can also reach the optic nerve, which will damage your vision.

• Cardiac Sarcoidosis

When granulomas grow in the heart, only 5% of the cardiac Sarcoidosis can experience the symptoms. These include having an irregular heartbeat which can lead to further complications. Having this type of Sarcoidosis can be the reason why your heart will stop beating

• Musculoskeletal Sarcoidosis

This type of sarcoidosis affects your body’s joints, bones, and muscles. It can cause inflammation that will cause pain upon movement. Having this type can lead to both chronic joint problems, and acute joint problems although this type of sarcoidosis can only happen in 1% of the patients, as well as for the presence of its symptoms.

• Cutaneous Sarcoidosis

Cutaneous sarcoidosis causes skin complications to about 35% of the sarcoidosis patients. Patients that acquire this type can experience: “erythema nodosum,” or painful red lumps in arms or legs, “lupus pernio,” or discoloration on the face, ears, fingers, or toes, and “lesions,” or painless lumps, rashes, and severe plaques.

• Renal Sarcoidosis

This type of sarcoidosis affects the kidney. It can lead to kidney stone formation,  kidney damage, and kidney failure because of “hypercalcemia,” or having too much calcium in the body. The growth of granulomas and having inflammation in the kidney can lead to scarring and permanent damage to the kidney.

• Hepatic Sarcoidosis

Hepatic sarcoidosis involves the liver. It is common for sarcoidosis patients, but it doesn’t always affect the organ. Some cases led to “cirrhosis,” or liver disease, and “portal hypertension,” wherein the high blood pressure in the liver occurs.

• Sarcoidosis of the Spleen & Bone Marrow

This type of Sarcoidosis leads to more significant problems like “cytopenia,” wherein a person has low blood cell counts. The bone marrow produces blood cells, and if affected or damaged, it can result in “anemia,” or low blood cells. While the bone marrow produces blood, the spleen filters the blood cells. If damaged, it can filter blood cells incorrectly.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of the disease vary depending on which organ is affected, although Sarcoidosis develops little by little, and it develops the symptoms later and can last for years. Sometimes, sarcoidosis patients have no symptoms, but they can only be aware if they have the condition through an x-ray.

The general symptoms of Sarcoidosis include:

• Fatigue
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Weight loss
• Inflammation and pain in joints

Symptoms of Pulmonary  Sarcoidosis:

• Shortness of breath
• Persistent dry cough
• Chest pain
• Wheezing

Symptoms of Cutaneous Sarcoidosis:

• Rashes that feel warm upon contact
• Lesions
• Nodules

Symptoms of Ocular Sarcoidosis:

• Unclear vision
• Eye pain
• Burning or dry eyes
• Redness
• Increased sensitivity to light

Symptoms of Cardiac Sarcoidosis

• Chest pain
• Dyspnea
• Syncope
• Fatigue
• Arrhythmias
• Palpitations
• Edema

DIAGNOSIS

Sarcoidosis is a condition that is hard to diagnose because it doesn’t show symptoms. Some symptoms that show may lead to other smaller diseases as well. The doctor may start with physical exams and check on your heart, lungs, nodes, and look for skin lesions. They can suggest you do the following tests: blood & urine tests, an x-ray of the chest, CT scan, pulmonary function tests, ECG, eye exam, an MRI, and a biopsy.

TREATMENT

There is still no cure for Sarcoidosis, but most cases claim that it will just go away. Medications that are listed below are only for the symptoms:

• Corticosteroids

A corticosteroid is an anti-inflammatory drug. It can be used as a cream to the affected areas with lesions or through eye drops.

• Anti-Inflammatory Medications

Medications like methotrexate and azathioprine are taken to suppress the immune system. They are also taken to reduce inflammation.