Sarcoidosis (Besnier - Boeck Disease): Frequently Asked Questions
What is sarcoidosis?
Sarcoidosis is an inflammation in which lymphocytes, a type of blood cell, become overactive. These overactive lymphocytes release chemical substances which cause granulomas (a collection of inflammatory cells) in various organs of the body. Although sarcoidosis is a multisystem disorder, it affects the lungs 90% of the time, making it primarily a lung disease.
Sarcoidosis (sar"koi-do'sis) involves inflammation that produces tiny lumps of cells in various organs in your body. The lumps are called granulomas (gran"u-lo'mahs) because they look like grains of sugar or sand. They are very small and can be seen only with a microscope. These tiny granulomas can grow and clump together, making many large and small groups of lumps. If many granulomas form in an organ, they can affect how the organ works. This can cause symptoms of sarcoidosis. ...
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Is Sarcoidosis Contagious?
Sarcoidosis is not a contagious disease - it is not 'passed on' or 'caught' from another person.
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What Is The Cause Of Sarcoidosis?
The cause of sarcoidosis is unknown. Possible causes could be infection, a hypersensitivity response, a genetic predisposition or environmental causes such as exposure to chemicals. As the cause is unknown current treatments are designed to treat the symptoms of sarcoidosis rather than cure this disease.
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Why Is Diagnosing Sarcoidosis Difficult?
Diagnosing sarcoidosis is difficult because: the cause of sarcoidosis is unknown
some symptoms are similar to those of other conditions
people may have a mild form of sarcoidosis and not display any symptoms at all Multiple tests and procedures are therefore used to diagnose sarcoidosis which provide a fairly accurate diagnosis. About 95% of people with sarcoidosis have the correct diagnosis.
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Is Sarcoidosis A Genetic Disease?
Sarcoidosis has been found to occur in families - however a genetic predisposition to this disease is unproven. If a person has sarcoidosis there may be a slightly increased risk of another family member developing this disease.
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What organs are affected by sarcoidosis?
The lungs are the most commonly affected organs by far, but the disease can also involve the eyes, skin, lymph glands, bones and joints, heart, nervous system and other internal organs. For this reason sarcoidosis is classified as a multisystem disorder.
Who gets sarcoidosis?
Anyone can get sarcoidosis. The disease occurs throughout the world. Although it is more frequent in some parts of the world and less common in others, no race, sex or age group is excluded from the disease.
What causes sarcoidosis?
So far, research has shown that sarcoidosis is not caused by any known bacteria, mold or dust particles. Nor is it due to any gases or fumes. Some researchers believe that sarcoidosis is caused by a virus, but the nature of such an agent remains unclear.
What is the effect of sarcoidosis on skin?
Reddish-blue patches, rash, nodules and small growths are features of skin sarcoidosis. Skin nodules are neither itchy nor painful. They do not weep fluid. In some cases, skin tumors or growths can become scarred and ugly.
Is sarcoidosis an allergic disease?
Sarcoidosis is not caused by any known allergic substances including pollens, grasses, fish, mites, or other animal and vegetable proteins.
Does sarcoidosis cause diabetes?
Sarcoidosis does not cause diabetes, but prednisone, used for treating sarcoidosis, may cause diabetes in those patients who are predisposed to develop diabetes.
Where are sarcoidosis cases to be reported?
There is currently no one organization that collects data on diagnosed sarcoidosis cases. Sarcoidosis is not a infectious disease and is, therefore, not reportable to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
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Is childhood sarcoidosis treated differently from adult sarcoidosis?
No, the treatment is more or less the same. However, immunosuppressive drugs are usually avoided in children. Diagnostic Tests
Sarcoidosis, is there alternative treatment?
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How is sarcoidosis diagnosed?
A physician takes an extensive medical history from the patient, and does a thorough physical examination including blood work, pulmonary function tests (PFT) and x-rays. An Ophthalmologist may do a complete eye examination to rule out any disease process. Other diagnostic tests can include a Gallium Scan, CT scan, MRI and/or removal (biopsy) of a small piece of tissue from a suspected area. Examination of this specimen under a microscope will identify any granulomas present.
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Is there drug treatment for sarcoidosis?
Prednizone is the drug that is typically prescribed.
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What should be done to help fatigue of sarcoidosis?
Fatigue in sarcoidosis is common. It is perhaps related to its cause; some patients respond to prednisone and hydroxychloroquine.
Can sarcoidosis develop into asthma?
Asthma is an allergic lung disease. Some patients with sarcoidosis may have allergies that cause asthma, but sarcoidosis does not develop into asthma.
How often is sarcoidosis found in children?
Sarcoidosis is rare in children. Only 2 to 3% of sarcoidosis are below the age of 10 years.
Is lung collapse a common occurrence in sarcoidosis?
Lung collapse or pneumothorax occurs in less than 2% of the patients. These patients usually have advanced lung scarring. The Patient
Does sarcoidosis cause a lot of anxiety and insomnia?
Any illness, particularly in individuals who were previously healthy, can cause anxiety and insomnia. Furthermore, anxiety may be related to lack of information about the disease. Prednisone can cause anxiety, insomnia, and irritability.
What is the best treatment for neuro sarcoidosis?
At least 10% of all patients with sarcoidosis have neuro sarcoidosis. Prednisone, hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide and radiation have been tried in varying dosages.
What does the name "sarcoidosis" mean?
The name Sarcoid comes from the Greek word sarko meaning "flesh". The OID is also from the Greek and means "like". So, sarcoidosis means flesh-like or fleshy, referring to the small skin tumors that can develop. It is pronounced SAR-COY-DOSIS.
Is sarcoidosis a form of Hodgkin's disease?
When you see your doctor or other medical personnel for your disease, you might hear the words "Hodgkin's disease" mentioned. Remember, sarcoidosis may look like Hodgkin's disease, but it is not related to Hodgkin's disease.
Why do we get sarcoidosis?
We do not know why some people get sarcoidosis and others do not. The best that can be said about sarcoidosis at our present stage of knowledge is that when a susceptible host meets an agent which enters the body, most likely by inhalation, sarcoidosis results.
Does sarcoidosis affect person's sleeping pattern?
Only if the patient has enlarged tonsils and upper airway granulomas. In a sarcoidosis patient the presence of obesity might be the cause of sleep apnea and related breathing abnormalities. Rarely, hypothalamic involvement may cause sleep disturbances. Sleeping pattern may also be changed in CFS associated with sarcoidosis.
Are other rheumatological diseases associated with sarcoidosis?
Not commonly. There are a few patients who may have sarcoidosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma or lupus erythematosus.
Is it common for sarcoidosis to first appear in the lungs?
Yes. Sarcoidosis commonly involves the lungs. In more than 90% of the patients chest x-ray film is abnormal.
