Sarcoidosis is a condition where little bead-like spots of swollen cells, called granulomas, show up in the body. They normally appear in the lungs and neighboring lymph nodes. Sarcoidosis can likewise influence other parts of the body, consisting of the muscles, eyes, and skin.
Many individuals with sarcoidosis have no symptoms at all. But in others, the condition can cause long-term organ damage. For instance, some people have fiber-like scar tissue in the lungs, which can cause breathing problems. Sarcoidosis may develop in time and cause symptoms that last for years, or it may appear and go away rapidly.
People who have a variation of sarcoidosis, called Lofgren’s syndrome, may have symptoms that include swollen lymph nodes, fever, agonizing, reddened nodules, and joint pain. Lofgren’s syndrome generally tends to clear up on its own within 1 to 2 years.
More African-Americans than Caucasians have sarcoidosis in the United States.
Signs and Symptoms of Sarcoidosis
Many individuals with sarcoidosis have no symptoms of sarcoidosis at all.
Some people with sarcoidosis in their lungs, called pulmonary sarcoidosis, may have the following signs and symptoms:
- Shortness of breath, Fatigue and weakness, Weight-loss
- Chest pain, Dry cough
- Bigger lymph nodes around the lungs
When sarcoidosis influences areas of the body other than the lungs, symptoms can include:
- Bigger lymph nodes, Red bumps on arms, face, buttocks
- Fever, Swelling and pain in the ankles and knees
- Infections of the eye, consisting of pink eye (conjunctivitis).
- Enlarged or irritated liver.
What Causes Sarcoidosis
Scientists do not know exactly what causes sarcoidosis. Some believe it is due to an overactive immune system that responds too highly to an invading organism. Other researchers believe sarcoidosis may be:
- Acquired.
- Brought on by an infection.
- Brought on by allergens that are taken in or toxic substances found in the environment.
Risk Factors
Any individual can get sarcoidosis, although it is more typical among the following:
- Individuals of Scandinavian, Irish, African, or Puerto Rican descent.
- Individuals in their 30s or 40s, Women.
Diagnosis of Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis can be hard to detect. You may need to see numerous different physicians, consisting of a pulmonologist (lung specialist). To start, your doctor will rule out other conditions that might be triggering your symptoms, such as rheumatoid arthritis. The following tests might assist diagnose the condition:.
- Chest x-ray, Lung function tests.
- Biopsy, Blood tests, Bronchoscopy, which examines the within your lungs.
- CT scan, MRI, or other imaging tests.
- ECG (electrocardiogram).
Treatment for Sarcoidosis
About half of all people with sarcoidosis get better without treatment. For others, medications, such as corticosteroids, might help reduce:
- Swelling, Rashes, Pain.
- Fever, Lung problems.
Lifestyle modifications might help manage problems, such as kidney stones or other damage. While complementary treatments for sarcoidosis have not been studied quite, they might assist you feel much better as part of a general treatment strategy.
Lifestyle
If you smoke, stop. Giving up smoking cigarettes can alleviate lung symptoms.
Sarcoidosis can be a lasting disease, so it is very important to eat a healthy diet filled with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Workout routinely. Be sure to ask your doctor prior to beginning a brand-new exercise program, specifically if sarcoidosis leaves you brief of breath.
Medications for Sarcoidosis
Corticosteroids, such as prednisone are considered the first-line treatment for decreasing swelling from sarcoidosis. Corticosteroid tablets can have some major side effects if taken in high dosages for long periods. Side effects may include:
- Hypertension.
- Diabetes.
- Stomach ulcers.
- Tuberculosis.
- Osteoporosis.
Your doctor will likely recommend routine check ups and tests.
Other medications in some cases utilized for sarcoidosis include those that suppress the body immune system, such as:.
- Methotrexate, Azathioprine (Imuran), Infliximab (Remicade).
Nevertheless, there are no long-lasting studies on whether these medications work to treat sarcoidosis.
Other medications that may be utilized consist of:
- Antimalarial drugs: such as hydroxychloroquine, used when the skin is influenced. It might be toxic to the eyes.
- Thalidomide: being studied for sarcoidosis, used to improve lung function and treat skin problems.
- Topical therapies: consisting of steroid creams, eye drops, nasal corticosteroids, and steroid inhalers.
Surgery and Other Procedures
Only extremely severe cases require surgery, such as a lung or heart transplant.
Sarcoidosis Diet
Researchers do not have any proof that herbs or supplements treat sarcoidosis, but you may decide to use them as part of your overall treatment strategy. Constantly inform your doctor about the herbs and supplements you are utilizing or thinking about using, due to the fact that some supplements may interfere with other medications.
These nutritional pointers will help your general health:
- Eat antioxidant foods, including fruits (blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes), and veggies (squash and bell peppers).
- Include foods rich in magnesium and low in calcium, such as barley, bran, corn, rye, oats, soy, brown rice, avocado, banana, and potato.
- Prevent fine-tuned foods, such as white breads, pastas, and sugar.
- Eat less red meats and more lean meats, cold-water fish, tofu (soy, if no allergy) or beans for protein.
- Use healthy oils, such as olive oil or vegetable oil.
- Reduce or eliminate trans-fatty acids, discovered in commercially-baked goods such as cookies, crackers, cakes, French french fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.
- Prevent caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco.
- Consume 6 to 8 glasses of filtered water daily.
Exercise at least 30 minutes daily, 5 days a week. Ask your doctor before beginning a brand-new exercise regimen.
Supplements and Vitamins Required when Sarcoidosis
The following supplements might also assist general health:
- An everyday multivitamin: consisting of the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, the B-complex vitamins, and trace element, such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, and selenium.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: such as fish oil, 1 to 2 capsules or 1 to 3 tbsp of oil, 1 to 3 times daily. Fish oil appears to assist lower swelling throughout the body. Cold-water fish, such as salmon or halibut, are good choices to eat. If you take supplements, consult your doctor since they might enhance the risk of bleeding, particularly if you take blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), or aspirin. Consuming fish does not cause the same risk.
- Bromelain: a mixture of enzymes stemmed from pineapple, 500 mg daily. Bromelain may likewise help reduce inflammation in the body. Ask your doctor prior to taking it, because it can enhance the risk of bleeding and may connect with other medications. Bromelain is typically integrated with turmeric.
- Probiotic supplement (consisting of Lactobacillus acidophilus): 5 to 10 billion CFUs (colony forming devices) a day. These “friendly” bacteria assist keep intestinal health. If you are taking immunosuppressive drugs, or you have actually a suppressed body immune system, speak to your physician before taking probiotics. You must refrigerate your probiotic supplements for best outcomes.
Herbs and Sarcoidosis
Herbs may enhance and tone the body’s systems. Similar to any therapy, you should deal with your health care provider to obtain your issue identified prior to beginning any treatment for sarcoidosis.
Research studies have actually not found any herbs that specifically deal with sarcoidosis. However, the following herbs might help general health. Speak with your doctor prior to taking any herb or supplement if you have sarcoidosis.
- Turmeric (Curcuma longa) standardized extract: 300 mg, 3times a day, may help reduce inflammation. Turmeric might enhance the risk of bleeding and interact with other medications, so ask your doctor before taking it.
- Cats’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa) standardized extract: 20 mg, 3 times a day, might help reduce swelling. Individuals with leukemia should not take cat’s claw. Individuals with autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, must not take it, either. Cat’s claw connects with some medications, so ask your doctor before taking it.
