| Information on sarcoidosis: Diagnosis, treatment |
|
by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H. Question Do you have any information on sarcoidosis? It seems to be kind of a mystery disease (at least in Indiana) --Toni, Indiana Answer It is kind of a mystery disease no matter where you live. No one knows the cause; there is no cure and it can affect many parts of the body, presenting with an wide array of symptoms. Sarcoidosis is usually diagnosed by ruling out other diseases. Doctors suspect it if the granulomas (clumps of cells) show up on X-ray or can be felt under the skin. Sarcoidosis can vary from very mild to life-threatening. In fact, it killed television and movie star Bernie Mac. Doctors usually treat it with strong anti-inflammatory drugs like prednisone. As in a lot of these mystery diseases, sarcoidosis involves your immune system going a little haywire, overworking and producing a lot of inflammation. In sarcoidosis, this inflammatory response produces clumps of cells (called granulomas) ranging in size from microscopic to golf ball, which can adversely affect your organs. Its favorite locations are the lungs and lymph nodes, but can involve the skin, eyes liver and about any other area of the body. The NIH Web site on sarcoidosis is a good starting point for information.
JAMES HUBBARD, M.D., M.P.H., is the publisher of James Hubbard's My Family Doctor , the magazine written by health-care professionals for the general public. He's been a family doctor for over 25 years. RELATED ITEMS:Autoimmune Diseases: Treatment and Diagnosis Last updated and/or approved: January 2009.
Comments (0)
 Write comment
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed
