Sarcoidosis Symptoms

Many people who have sarcoidosis have no symptoms or mild

Sarcoidosis Symptoms

then there are others that have severe problems. Often the disease is discovered in a chest x-ray that has been done for another reason (for example, to diagnosis pneumonia ).

Signs and sarcoidosis symptoms vary depending on what organs are affected. They also vary with sex, age and ethnic background of the person. (For more information see Who’s at Risk of Sarcoidosis?)

Common signs and sarcoidosis symptoms

The organs most often affected are the lungs in both adults and children. If form granulomas (inflamed mass) in the lungs, there may be wheezing (a whistling or squeaky sound when you breathe), coughing, shortness of breath or chest pain. It is also possible that there are no symptoms.

Some people with sarcoidosis may feel very tired, anxious or depressed. Night sweats and weight loss are common symptoms of the disease.

The signs and symptoms in children are fatigue, poor appetite, weight loss, pain in bones and joints, and anemia . Children under 4 years may have an unmistakable shape of sarcoidosis. The disease can cause enlargement of lymph nodes in the chest (which can be seen on a chest x-ray), skin lesions and swelling or redness. The condition is more common in adults.

Other signs and sarcoidosis symptoms

Sarcoidosis can affect the lymph nodes.  They can be enlarged and painful.  The most affected are the lymph nodes in the neck and chest, but may also be affected that are under the chin, armpits or groin.

Sarcoidosis can cause masses, ulcers or patches on the skin. These lesions may itch, but do not hurt. These signs usually appear on the back, arms, legs and scalp. Sometimes they appear near the nose or eyes. They usually last a long time.

Sarcoidosis can cause more severe disease of the skin called cutaneous sarcoidosis (lupus hinge). It is characterized by disfiguring skin sores that can affect the nose, nasal passages, cheeks, ears, eyelids, and fingers.  These wounds tend to be constant and can recur after treatment ends.

Sarcoidosis also causes eye problems. If you have sarcoidosis, it is important to have an annual eye exam. If you have vision changes and cannot see as clearly or cannot see colors, call 911 or have someone drive you to the emergency department of a hospital.

Call your doctor if you have new eye symptoms such as burning, itching, tearing, pain or sensitivity to light.

Sarcoidosis symptoms can include an enlarged liver, spleen or salivary glands.

One of the more serious sarcoidosis symptoms of sarcoidosis is that it can also affect the heart and brain, although this is less common. In this case it may have various symptoms such as irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, headaches and vision problems. If sarcoidosis affects the heart or brain may present serious complications.

Who’s at Risk of Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis

affects people of all races and all ages.  However, it is more common among Africian Americans and people of northern Europe. In the United States the disease affects African Americans with a little more frequency and severe than those of Caucasian decent.

This illness is often misdiagnosed since sarcoidosis symptoms can mirror other illnesses and delay proper treatment.

Some studies have shown that sarcoidosis tends to vary in different ethnic groups. For example, eye problems are due to the disease are more frequent in Japanese people.

Lofgren’s syndrome, a type of sarcoidosis is more common in people of European descent.  This syndrome may manifest as fever, enlarged lymph nodes, arthritis (usually the ankles) and erythema nodosum.  Erythema nodosum is a skin rash that appears with a red or reddish-purple flare at the ankles and shins. The rash may feel hot and painful to touch.

Sarcoidosis is slightly more common in women than in men. It usually appears between 20 and 50 but has also been know to affect chlidren.

People who perform certain jobs may also be at greater risk of sarcoidosis. For example:

• Workers in the area of health
• Primary and secondary teachers
• People at work are exposed to agricultural dust, insecticides, pesticides or mold
• Suppliers of building materials, hardware and gardening
• Fire

People with a family history of sarcoidosis are also at increased risk for the disease but it is not necessarily hereditary.  This could be due to family members exposed to a similar environment.  Sarcoidosis has been around since the 1800′s and there is still no known cause or cure.  What is known is that it is an autoimmune disorder that affects tissue in the body. It is possible for people to go into remission or on the other hand, the individual may have other parts of the body stricken as time goes on.

Neurosarcoidosis Symptoms

You may be wondering if you are experiencing

Neurosarcoidosis Symptoms

because of what you are suddenly experiencing. Neurosardoisos also referred to as sarcoidosis of the nervous system, is a complication of sarcoidosis in which there is inflammation in the brain, spinal cord and other nervous system areas.

Sarcoidosis is a disorder of long-term (chronic) that affects many parts of the body, especially the lungs. In a small number of patients, the disease involves any part of the nervous system, which is called neurosarcoidosis.

It is possible that neurosarcoidosis can affect the nervous system and is not specific to any one part. Sudden facial weakness ( facial paralysis ) is the most common neurological symptoms and involves the nerves of the muscles of the face (cranial nerve VII). Any nerve in the skull can be affected, including the nerves that control eye and the taste, smell or hearing.

With neurosardosis the parts of the brain involved in regulating many body functions such as sleep, stress responses and temperature.

What also may occur muscle weakness or sensory loss nerve involvement peripherals . Other areas of the brain including the pituitary gland at the base of the brain or spinal cord may also be affected.

Neurosarcoidosis Symptoms:

The commitment of the pituitary gland can cause:

• Changes in menstrual periods
• Excessive tiredness (fatigue)
• Excessive thirst
• High urine output

The symptoms vary.  Any part of the nervous system is affected.  Involvement of the brain or cranial nerves can cause:

• Confusion , disorientation
• Decreased hearing
• Dementia
• Delirium
• Dizziness or vertigo (abnormal sensation of movement)
• Double vision or other vision problems
• Facial paralysis (weakness, drooping)
• Headache
• Loss of sense of smell
• Loss of sense of taste,  abnormal taste
• Psychiatric disorders
• Seizures
• Speech disturbances

Involvement of one or more nerves peripheral can lead to:

• Abnormal sensations in any body part
• Loss of movement of any body part
• Loss of sensation in any body part
• Weakness of any body part
• Signs and tests

An exam may show problems with one or more nerves.

A history of sarcoidosis followed by neurological symptoms strongly suggest the presence of neurosarcoidosis. However, the symptoms of this condition can mimic other disorders, including diabetes insipidus, hypopituitarism , optic neuritis , meningitis and certain tumors.

Blood tests are not helpful in this condition.  A lumbar puncture may show signs of inflammation and can be found high levels of angiotensin converting enzyme in the blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).  Unfortunately this test is not considered the most reliable but the results will be one of many to diagnosis this condition.

A chest x-ray often reveals signs of sarcoidosis of the lungs and a nerve biopsy of affected nerve tissue confirms the disorder.

Treatment

At this time there is no known cure for either sarcoidosis or neurosarcoidosis, but the symptoms can be treated.  If symptoms are severe, progressive treatment will reduce the symptoms.

Your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids such as prednisone to reduce inflammation or if it is a specific area then injections may be an option.  Often prescribed until symptoms improve or disappear and may need to take them for months or even years.

Other medications may include hormone therapy and drugs that suppress the immune system.

If you have numbness, weakness, impaired vision or hearing or other due to damaged nerves in the head, you may need physical therapy, braces, a cane or walker.

Psychiatric disorders or dementia may require medication for depression, safety interventions and help with care.

Prognosis

Some cases spontaneously disappear within 4 to 6 months. Other cases continue intermittently for the rest of the life of the person.  Neurosarcoidosis can cause permanent disability and, in some cases, death.

Complications

Complications vary depending on the part of the nervous system is involved and how you respond to treatment. The slow deterioration or permanent loss of neurological function is possible.  In rare cases, the brainstem may be involved.  In this instance, neurosarcodosis can be fatal.

Call your doctor if you have sarcoidosis and any neurologic symptoms.  If you have a sudden loss of sensation, movement or body function go to the emergency room right away.

Prevention

Aggressive treatment of sarcoidosis disables the body’s faulty immune response before nerve damage occurs. This can reduce the possibility of neurological symptoms.

The neurosarcoidosis symptoms mimic so many other illness or is often misdiagnosed.  You can also check here to see if you are at risk.  If you suspect you have this disorder, testing and immediate treatment are important to stop the symptoms from progressing any further.  If you have a doctor that tells you that you are fine and it is all in your head, it is time to get another opinion since time is of the essence.