lung and airway disorders
Sarcoidosis
Symptoms of Sarcoidosis
Many people with sarcoidosis have no symptoms, and the disorder is discovered on a chest x-ray that is taken for other reasons. Most people develop minor symptoms that do not progress. The symptoms of sarcoidosis vary greatly according to the site and extent of the disease as well as by the age and sex of the person affected. Fever, fatigue, vague chest pain, a feeling of illness (malaise), loss of appetite, weight loss, and aching joints may be the first indications of a problem in about one third of people. Enlarged lymph nodes are common but do not often cause symptoms. Fever and night sweats may recur throughout the illness. can settle in (colonize) the lung cysts, grow, and cause bleeding. Breathing can become difficult. Severe involvement of the lung by sarcoidosis can eventually strain the right side of the heart, causing right-sided heart failure ( Cor Pulmonale ). The skin is frequently affected by sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis often starts as a rash with raised, tender, red lumps, usually on the shins ( Erythema Nodosum ), often accompanied by a fever and joint pain. The rash tends to resolve within 3 to 6 months but may recur. It is less common in Black Americans of African descent. Common skin lesions in sarcoidosis include little bumps (called papules) and larger bumps (called nodules). Prolonged sarcoidosis may lead to the formation of flat patches, raised patches (plaques), or plaques that discolor the nose, cheeks, lips, and ears (lupus pernio). Skin patches may be darker or lighter than surrounding skin. Lupus pernio is most common in Black people. People with lupus pernio may also develop granulomas in the nasal passage that cause symptoms similar to those of This photo shows violet-colored, raised bumps (nodules) caused by erythema nodosum. Photo provided by Thomas Habif, MD. This image shows skin nodules in a person with sarcoidosis. Image courtesy of Dr. Karen McKoy, MD. This image shows multiple small, raised bumps on the lips of a person with sarcoidosis. Image courtesy of Dr. Karen McKoy, MD. Areas in which skin color is lost and nodules are present in a person with sarcoidosis. Image courtesy of Dr. Karen McKoy, MD. Up to 75% of people with sarcoidosis have granulomas in their liver. These granulomas often cause no symptoms, and the liver seems to function normally. However, blood tests may show evidence of liver involvement even when symptoms of it are absent. Fewer than 10% of people with sarcoidosis have an enlarged liver. Yellow coloring of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) caused by liver malfunction is rare. The spleen also is enlarged in some people. When the spleen is enlarged, people may have pain in the upper part of the abdomen. The eyes are affected in 25% of people with sarcoidosis, particularly Americans of African descent and people of Japanese descent. Uveitis makes the eyes red and painful and interferes with vision. Inflammation that persists for a long time may block fluid from draining from the eye, causing Granulomas that form in the heart may cause palpitations, dizziness, or Heart Failure (HF) . Failure of the right side of the heart (called Inflammation can cause widespread pain in the joints. The joints in the wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles are most commonly affected. Cysts form in the bones and can make nearby joints swollen and tender. Sometimes people also have muscle weakness. Sarcoidosis can affect the cranial nerves (nerves of the head), causing double vision or hearing loss, or making one side of the face droop. If the pituitary gland or the bones surrounding it are affected, ArginineVasopressin Deficiency (Central Diabetes Insipidus) (central diabetes insipidus) may result. In , which enhances calcium absorption from the intestine. Hypercalcemia (High Level of Calcium in the Blood) lead to a loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, thirst, and excessive urine production. If present for a long time, high blood calcium levels may lead to the formation of 