Signs and Symptoms of Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is an autoimmune disease condition that affects the organs of the body, but especially the liver and lungs. In sarcoidosis, abnormal tissue growths called granulomas form in many organs, including the lungs, liver, lymph nodes, eyes, skin and other areas. They are characterized by small bead-like patches of inflamed cells.
For some people, sarcoidosis causes only minimal symptoms, whereas others develop serious or life-threatening complications. The condition can cause long-term organ damage such as the formation of fiber-like scar tissue in the lungs, which can interfere with breathing. We have put together a list of common signs and symptoms of sarcoidosis below.
The Most Common Signs and Symptoms of Sarcoidosis include:
Many people with sarcoidosis have no symptoms at all. Some people with pulmonary (lung) sarcoidosis may experience the following signs and symptoms:
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue and weakness
- Weight loss or loss of appetite
- Chest pain
- Dry cough or deep, chronic cough
- Enlarged lymph nodes around the lungs
- Hoarseness
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Loss of Appetite
- Rapid Heartbeat
When sarcoidosis affects areas of the body other than the lungs, symptoms can include:
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Red bumps on the arms, face and buttocks
- Painful Nodules or Lesions Under the Skin
- Rashes
- Fever
- Night Sweats
- Swelling and pain in the ankles and knees
- Joint Pain
- Infections of the eye, including conjunctivitis
- Eye Inflammation
- Enlarged or inflamed liver
Sarcoidosis Diagnosis:
Sarcoidosis affects mostly the lungs, although it can affect many organs and tissues. The most common test for sarcoidosis, therefore, is a chest x-ray. Other blood tests that can help diagnose sarcoidosis include:
- Low white blood cell counts
- Excessive calcium (hypercalcemia)
- Elevated alkaline phosphatase
- Elevated ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate)
- Elevated antinuclear antibodies (ANAs)
- Elevated RF (rheumatoid factor)
- High Immunoglobulin levels
- Elevated CPk (creatine phosphokinase) and CPK-MB levels
In low-level sarcoidosis, patients may experience a full or partial remission within two to five years after onset. More than 75 percent of those with enlarged lymph nodes and more than 50 percent of those with lung involvement recover after five years. More than two-thirds of people with lung sarcoidosis have no symptoms after nine years. About half of those diagnosed will have relapses over time, and only 10 percent develop serious or life-threatening complications.
Books for People With Signs and Symptoms of Sarcoidosis:
The Official Patient’s Sourcebook on Sarcoidosis |
Living With Sarcoidosis & Other Chronic Health Conditions |
Me & Sarcoidosis: A Lifetime Partnership: Revised Edition A Patient’s Story About Living With A Chronic Health Condition Gilbert Barr |
Living Well with Autoimmune Disease: What Your Doctor Doesn’t Tell You…That You Need to Know |
Causes of Sarcoidosis:
Some of the latest research has shown that it is a bacteria in the granulomas that initiate and cause sarcoidosis, So this is definitely one autoimmune disease where antibiotics or (better yet) supplements that kill bacteria or help the body to better kill bacteria can play a vital role.
Sarcoidosis can also be triggered like any other autoimmune symptom. The cumulative toxic burden in the body – chemicals, heavy metals, bacteria, yeast, fungus, plastics, food additives, fructose, stress, etc – can trigger an Interleukin-6 reaction where auto-antibodies are released and end up inflaming previously healthy tissue. In this instance, it is a case of misplaced immunity.
Other factors that can be a cause of sarcoidosis include genetic predisposition and viral infections.
Nutritional Tips for Patients with Sarcoidosis:
- Eat proper whole foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. Animal protein like eggs, turkey, chicken, etc should be organic or free range. Fish should be (preferably) fresh and (definitely) low-to-no mercury.
- Eliminate, or significantly reduce, refined, processed, packaged and sugary foods. Eliminate fructose and high fructose corn syrup.
- Use healthy oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, cold-pressed grapeseed oil, avocado oil, ghee (clarified butter), and even organic butter. Oils like coconut and avocado are best to cook with as they have a high “smoke point”. Otherwise, cook your foods and drizzle the oil on afterwards.
- Drink at least 6 – 8 glasses of purified, alkaline water each day.
- Decrease caffeine usage.
- Exercise at least three times per week and daily, if possible.
Why Detoxification is Important?
If there is one thing that seems to be true, it is that autoimmune disease patients have a toxic body. The more discomfort you are in, the more pain you are feeling, the sicker and more toxic you are. Inflammation and irritation are classic signs of a toxic body. Although environmental toxins are not the only cause of the autoimmune process, it may be what is the root cause of the other factors such as candida, viral or bacterial infections.
Sarcoidosis Resources
General Patient Resources
- Foundation For Sarcoidosis Research
Leading organization dedicated to improving care for sarcoidosis patients and to finding a cure for this disease. Features: Ask the Sarcoidosis Expert.
http://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/sarcoidosis/diseasefacts.htm
- National Sarcoidosis Research Center
US-based organisation disseminating sarcoidosis news and information worldwide. Includes newsletter, images, resource guide, support group.
http://www.nsrc-global.net/
- Janine’s Sarcoidosis Foundation Outreach and Support Group
Empowering the community through sarcoidosis education and outreach.
http://www.jsof.org/
- Sarcoidosis Online Sites
Provides support through public forum and global and local listings.
http://www.sarcoidosisonlinesites.com/
Medical Resources
- Mayo Clinic
Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this inflammatory disease.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sarcoidosis/DS00251
- Pub Med Health
Reviews causes, risk factors, symptoms, treatment, prognosis and complications.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001140/
- Medicine Net . com
Read about sarcoidosis, a chronic lung disease. Learn causes, symptoms (cough, erythema nodosum, eye inflammation, fibrosis, granulomas), diagnosis and treatment.
http://www.medicinenet.com/sarcoidosis/article.htm
Sarcoidosis Resources
General Patient Resources
Foundation For Sarcoidosis Research
Leading organization dedicated to improving care for sarcoidosis patients and to finding a cure for this disease. Features: Ask the Sarcoidosis Expert.
http://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/sarcoidosis/diseasefacts.htm
National Sarcoidosis Research Center
US-based organisation disseminating sarcoidosis news and information worldwide. Includes newsletter, images, resource guide, support group.
Janine’s Sarcoidosis Foundation Outreach and Support Group
Empowering the community through sarcoidosis education and outreach.
Sarcoidosis Online Sites
Provides support through public forum and global and local listings.
http://www.sarcoidosisonlinesites.com/
Medical Resources
Mayo Clinic
Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this inflammatory disease.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sarcoidosis/DS00251
Pub Med Health
Reviews causes, risk factors, symptoms, treatment, prognosis and complications.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001140/
Medicine Net . com
Read about sarcoidosis, a chronic lung disease. Learn causes, symptoms (cough, erythema nodosum, eye inflammation, fibrosis, granulomas), diagnosis and treatment.
http://www.medicinenet.com/sarcoidosis/article.htm