Sarcoidosis is a disease that involves the growth of inflammatory cells which forms a granuloma. This disease mostly affects organs of the body such as the skin, eyes, lymph nodes and so on. Patients affected by this disease presents with various signs and symptoms. The manifestations of this disease depend on the organ affected. Some of the symptoms include coughing, chest discomfort, wheezing and so on. The exact cause of this disease isn’t known yet. However, factors that contribute to the development of the disease have been identified. Some of them include immune, environmental, infections and so on. Examples of environmental factors include exposure to chemicals, such as toxins, pesticides and so on. People with a family history of sarcoidosis also have a high risk of developing the disease. Physicians diagnose sarcoidosis by examining the complaints of the patient. After carrying out the physical examination of the patient, other tests might also be carried out. Examples of these include a blood test, an imaging test, to exclude other diseases and so on. Examples of diseases that share similarities with sarcoidosis include tuberculosis. This disease usually resolves without treatment in some years, although, it might persist for long, and also be severe in some patients. The symptoms of this disease can be improved by using medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, methotrexate and so on. Researchers are working on ways to make shockwave effective in the treatment of the disease.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Sarcoidosis?
The signs and symptoms presented by the patient depending on the organ affected. Below are some of the general symptoms presented by patients:
- Fatigue: Persons affected by this disease tends to get tired easily. This occurs when engaging in activities, they used to do without stress.
- Enlargement of the lymph nodes: The lymph nodes of the patient becomes swollen.
Some of the signs and symptoms of the disease based on the organ affected include the following:
- Pulmonary system: Majority of the people affected with sarcoidosis do manifest pulmonary symptoms. Some of the signs and symptoms presented by patients include shortness of breath, discomfort in the chest, wheezing, dry cough that persists for so long, and so on.
- Skin symptoms: Persons affected with this disease do present with skin symptoms such as the following:
- Some parts of the skin are lighter or darker in color than the other.
- Patients might develop some form of growths below their skin. This usually occurs around tattoos and scars.
- The face of the patient might also become disfigured, due to the development of lesions on the nose, cheeks and the ears.
- Patients might also develop bumps on their shins and ankles. This is usually red or purple and is tender and warm when touched.
- Eye symptoms: This disease impairs the function of the eyes. Patients might complain of any of the following conditions:
- Pain in the eyes: Patients do experience discomfort in the eyes.
- The eyes of the patient might also become severely red.
- Patients eye might also become more sensitive to light. This causes a lot of discomfort for patients, especially when there is sun is scorching.
- Persons affected by sarcoidosis might also develop blurred vision.
- Heart symptoms: Sarcoidosis also affects the heart. Some of the signs and symptoms of this disease include the following:
- Chest discomfort
- Fatigue: Persons affected by this disease tends to get tired quickly. This occurs when engaging in activities, they used to do without stress.
- Arrhythmia: This is a condition in which an individual experiences an irregular heartbeat.
- An excess amount of fluid might also accumulate in some areas of the body of the patient.
- The patient might present with an abnormally fast heartbeat.
- Patients might also present with the syncopal This is a condition in which patients faint.
- Persons affected with this disease might also experience shortness of breath.
What Are The Causes Of Sarcoidosis?
The exact causes of sarcoidosis aren’t known yet. However, some factors have been identified. Some of these factors include genetics, environmental, infections and so on. People with a family history of sarcoidosis have a high risk of developing the disease. Also, this disease can be induced by infections such as viral, bacterial and so on. The exposure to chemicals, toxins also contributes to the development of the disease.
What Are the Risk Factors Of Sarcoidosis?
There are some factors that increase the risk of developing sarcoidosis. Examples of such factors include the following:
- Family history: People with a family history of sarcoidosis have a high risk of developing the disease.
- Gender: Studies have shown that this disease is more prominent in women. However, the difference between the two genders is not significant.
- Age: Sarcoidosis is more prominent in people between the ages of 20 and 40.
- Sarcoidosis is also more prominent in people of African origin.
How Is Sarcoidosis Currently Treated?
There is no cure for this disease. However, this disease often resolves by itself, without any form of treatment, although this might take a while. Treatment is usually given to reduce the symptoms and make life more comfortable for the patients. Some of the medications used are methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine.
What Are The Complications Of Sarcoidosis?
Sarcoidosis can persist for a long time, and cause various complications. Some of the complications of the disease include the following:
- Lungs: This disease can lead to the irreversible scarring of the lungs, which would make it difficult to breathe.
- Eyes: This disease can also cause the eyes to become swollen, and might lead to blindness, if not well treated.
- Heart: Granulomas might develop in the heart, and can cause conditions such as arrhythmia, and other conditions.
Stem Cell Therapy and Sarcoidosis
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells. They are capable of differentiating to form any cell in the body. Apart from this, they also have some unique abilities. For example, they can repair injured tissues, self-regenerate, and multiply. In addition to this, they also regulate inflammatory reactions in the body.
Bhagat, R., Rizzieri, D., Vredenburgh, J., Chao, N., and Folz, R. (2004). Pulmonary Sarcoidosis Following Stem Cell Transplantation. Chest, 126(2), pp.642-644.
Izaki, S. (2012). Cutaneous Sarcoidosis. The Japanese Journal of Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Disorders, 32(1), pp.27-31.