| Your doctor has diagnosed you with Sarcoidosis, | | | | Many people with Sarcoidosis will not require any |
| now you need to know, what is Sarcoidosis? | | | | treatment at all. Sarcoidosis is often mild and |
| Since Sarcoidosis affects so many organs, this | | | | usually goes away on its own within several years |
| article will address how Sarcoidosis affects the | | | | without causing serious damage. However, in up |
| lungs, the symptoms, and some practical advice. | | | | to 30 percent of people, the disease lasts a long |
| What is Sarcoidosis as a disease? | | | | time or a lifetime. It can also worsen over time. |
| Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory, auto-immune | | | | Proper physician care is of the utmost importance. |
| disease characterized by coughing, fatigues, | | | | If you have recently been diagnosed with |
| difficulty in breathing, joint pain, swollen lymph | | | | Sarcoidosis you will soon come to realize that |
| nodes, and various other organs. Inflammation of | | | | finding a doctor who understands sarcoidosis can |
| Sarcoidosis produces tiny lumps of cells in various | | | | be difficult. Most cases of Sarcoid are diagnosed |
| organs in your body called granulomas because | | | | by primary physicians, mines was recognized by |
| they look like grains of sugar or sand. They are | | | | my chiropractor and diagnosed by my |
| very small and can be seen only with a | | | | rheumatologist, then there are many patients who |
| microscope. | | | | try to seek the help of a sarcoidosis specialist |
| What is Sarcoidosis of the Lung? | | | | which can be recommended by your primary |
| Sarcoidosis of the lungs is commonly called | | | | physician or family doctor. However, if your |
| Pulmonary Sarcoidosis. The lungs are the most | | | | doctor is unable to assist you, you can contact |
| commonly affected organ in Sarcoidosis shown | | | | the nearest hospital or health center and ask for |
| by the fact that 90% or more of people with | | | | the department that cares for patients with |
| Sarcoidosis have lung involvement, whether they | | | | sarcoidosis - you may even find a hospital with a |
| have symptoms or not. Symptoms are most | | | | center that specializes in Sarcoidosis. |
| often dry coughing, trouble breathing, wheezing, | | | | Physicans That Specialize in the Treatment of |
| or pain with breathing chest pain, tightness, and | | | | Sarcoidosis |
| discomfort as well as upper back pain. | | | | Pulmonologist -- a doctor who specializes in the |
| In Sarcoidosis, 20% to 30% of patients suffer | | | | diagnosis and treatment of lung disorders and |
| some permanent damage, usually to the lungs. | | | | breathing problems. This is the doctor most often |
| Sarcoidosis can be quite severe and cause | | | | seen by sarcoidosis patients because sarcoidosis |
| permanent debilitation. In about 5% to 10% of | | | | affects the lungs in over 90% of patients. |
| cases, it can even be life threatening. | | | | Ophthalmologist -- a doctor who specializes in the |
| Tests used to diagnose Pulmonary Sarcoidosis | | | | diagnosis and treatment of vision and eye |
| include: | | | | disorders. Patients may see an ophthalmologist if |
| • Biopsies. This is usually a lung or lymph node | | | | their sarcoidosis affects their eyes. |
| sample that allows the doctor to look for | | | | Neurologist -- a doctor who specializes in the |
| granulomas (done if there are abnormalities on | | | | diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the |
| your chest x-ray. | | | | nervous system (including the brain, nerves and |
| • Pulmonary Function. This test measures | | | | spinal cord). Patients may see a neurologist if their |
| how well your lungs are working. | | | | sarcoidosis affects their brain and nervous |
| • Fiber Optic Bronchoscopy. Your doctor uses | | | | system. |
| a scope to look inside your lungs for scarring and | | | | Dermatologist -- a doctor who specializes in the |
| inflammation in your airways. | | | | diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders. Patients |
| • Imaging Technology. X-ray images and a | | | | may see a dermatologist for sarcoidosis of the |
| number of sophisticated imaging tools are available | | | | skin. |
| that can detect inflammation and disease in the | | | | Rheumatologist -- a doctor who specializes in the |
| lungs. Computed tomography (CT) scans and | | | | diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the joints, |
| magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are probably | | | | muscles and bones. Patients may see a |
| the most commonly available of these | | | | rheumatologist if their sarcoidosis causes |
| technologies. | | | | osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other joint |
| Treatment of Pulmonary Sarcoidosis | | | | disorders. |