Question 1

how do i explain to people about my sarcoidosis?

Accepted Answer

Be honest: Sarcoidosis is a disease that can be serious involving multiple organs, most notably the lungs, but it can also cause kidney disease.  It is treatable often with steroid medication.  Chronic steroid therapy can cause changes in appearance such as a round face and thinning of the skin.  Friends might show concern and you can tell them you need this medication to remain as healthy as possible.

Question 2

what is sarcoidosis?

Accepted Answer

Sarcoidosis: Dear jbennett, 
sarcoidosis is a disease of unknown etiology which can affect almost any part of a patient's body.  It is known for the granulomas it produces--non-caseating--which can form commonly in the lungs.  About 50% of the patients are african or hispanic origin, there is also a large % from northern europe. It has been found that a patient's immune response creates the granulomas.  ..

Question 3

how can we treat sarcoidosis?

Accepted Answer

Sarcoidosis: How sarcoidosis is treated depends on organs involved and extent of involvement. For limited skin involvement, intralesional kenalog (triamcinolone) injections are helpful. For extensive skin & other organ involvement, several systemic medications can be used, such as plaquenil, methotrexate, tnf Alpha inhibitors, such as Enbrel or humira. For severe lung or eye disease, Prednisone to reduce inflammation quickly.

Question 4

what are the tests for sarcoidosis?

Accepted Answer

See below: Tests many times are directed at the symptoms or physical findings. There is a blood test called an ace level which is positive in 2/3 of patients with sarcoid. Chest xray may show abnormalities. Biopsy of enlarged lymph nodes or other organ biopsy such as the lungs may be needed. Some patients will have anemia, increased inflammation markers such as a sed rate or crp.

Question 5

how do you end up with sarcoidosis?

Accepted Answer

Genes + environment: Not known for certain why some people get sarcoid.  We know certain groups (scandinavians) and african americans are at increased risk.  Maybe combination of genetics + some viral infection or environmental exposure.    Altered immune function or response to germ or environment initiates it.

Question 6

is exercise good for my sarcoidosis?

Accepted Answer

Probably yes: Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease with unknown cause some of time the lungs are affected negatively a lung specialist would evaluate you and determine the extent of your lung involvement. Also, in some rare cases there can be heart involvement-perhaps irregular heart beats.A cardiologist would need to evaluate you in that case if you are affected by aches, pains and given the o-k--exercise helps.

Question 7

what are the symptoms of sarcoidosis?

Accepted Answer

Usually none.: Most patients have no symptoms and it is found by accident. If symptoms occur they can be cough, shortness of breath, swelling and pain in one or more joints, red bumps on the shins, fatigue, swelling of the salivary glands or other lymph nodes. Fever and eye redness or pain are other less common symptoms. There are racial differences as well; african american and asians have worse symptoms.

Question 8

what arre the symptoms of sarcoidosis?

Accepted Answer

Variable: They can range from being asymptomatic to cough, bloody cough, headache, GI problems, visual problems, arthritis, the list goe on.

Question 9

can my family get sarcoidosis from me?

Accepted Answer

No: This is not a communicable disease.

Question 10

when is sarcoidosis considered serious?

Accepted Answer

It can be!: Most cases are mild and cause no serious illness, but the disease can be severe, and even life threatening. The tnf-a inhibitors are new treatments on the horizon and seem to remit previously severe cases!

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How do I explain to people about my sarcoidosis

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How do i explain to people about my sarcoidosis?

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What is sarcoidosis?

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How can we treat sarcoidosis?

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What are the tests for sarcoidosis?

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How do you end up with sarcoidosis?

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Is exercise good for my sarcoidosis?

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What are the symptoms of sarcoidosis?

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What arre the symptoms of sarcoidosis?

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Can my family get sarcoidosis from me?

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When is sarcoidosis considered serious?

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