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SARCOIDOSIS

UNDERSTANDING SARCOIDOSIS

90% of Sarcoidosis cases involve the lungs.

SYMPTOMS

• Weight loss, loss of appetite

• Fever, night sweats and sleep problems

• Depression

 

Many people with sarcoidosis have no symptoms at all. Or they may have organ-specific symptoms. 

 

• Lungs: shortness of breath, wheezing or dry cough

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• Lymph nodes: enlarged and sometimes tender lymph nodes, most often in the neck and chest

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• Eyes: burning, itching, tearing, redness, sensitivity to light, dryness, seeing black spots, blurred vision, reduced color vision, and in rare cases blindness

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• Skin: bumps, ulcers, and in rare cases flat areas of discolored skin that appear mostly near the nose or eyes or on the back, arms, legs and scalp. Painful and tender bumps can also appear on the ankles and shin

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• Bones and Joints: bone lumps (nodules) that cause pain in the hands and feet, as well as swelling in the ankles or other joints.

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• Spleen and Liver: fever, fatigue or itching. There may be pain in the upper right part of the abdomen, under the ribs

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• Heart: Shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, wheezing, coughing, and chest pain. You may feel an irregular heartbeat at times or pass out

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• Salivary Glands: swelling and overly dry mouth

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• Nervous System: headaches, vision problems, weakness or numbness in the arms or legs, drooping on one side of the face, loss of movement in the arms or legs, painful needle feeling

 

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • What causes asthma?
    Genetics: Asthma can be inherited genetically, but you can still develop asthma without a family history of it. Triggers: Asthma may also be caused by triggers such as Allergies If you have allergies, you are more likely to develop asthma. This form of asthma is typical in children, but can develop in adults as well. Common allergens like pollen, cockroach droppings, pet dander and dust mites can cause sneezing, wheezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose. If your lungs are irritated enough, they may also cause an asthma attack. Respiratory Infections Frequent lung or sinus infections can also lead to asthma. Respiratory infections can trigger longer episodes of wheezing or shortness of breath than episodes caused by allergies. Respiratory viruses, like a cold, are the most common cause of severe asthma attacks. Irritants • Molds and dust • Tobacco smoke from cigarettes, pipes, or cigars • Exhaust fumes from cars, buses, trucks, etc. • Temperature or weather changes • Strong odors from paint, perfumes, colognes, • hair spray, deodorants, and cleaning products • Certain medications • Exercise or stress • Sulfates in foods such as dried fruits, wine and beer
  • How is asthma diagnosed?
    Asthma can be diagnosed with a breathing test administered by your health care provider. If you think you have asthma let your doctor know.
  • How is asthma treated?
    If you are diagnosed with asthma, it's important that you work with your doctor to keep your asthma under control. You and your doctor will write out an Asthma Action Plan that you will follow to treat your asthma symptoms and improve your breathing. A typical action plan will include: • How to take your medications • What you can do in your daily life to avoid triggers • How to monitor your breathing • What to do when you have asthma symptoms You will be prescribed an inhaler or medication to keep your airways open and reduce swelling. The most important thing when it comes to controlling asthma is taking your medication as prescribed by your doctor. When used correctly you should be able to prevent your asthma symptoms.
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