Sarcoidosis - inflammation in the body

Sarcoidosis - inflammation in the body
Features

sarcoidosis Sarcoidosis - a disease that is caused by inflammation of various tissues of the body. It can occur almost anywhere in the body, but most often begins sarcoidosis in the lung or the lymph nodes. As the disease progresses, the affected tissues in the form of granuloma - nodules formed as a result of inflammatory processes. In most cases, granulomas eventually disappear - sometimes even without treatment. Sometimes the inflammation persists for a long time, and granulomas are converted into scar tissue.

Symptoms

The first symptoms of sarcoidosis may be shortness of breath and a cough that will not go for a long time. In some cases, sarcoidosis leads to the sudden appearance of skin rash Rash: Classification - primary and secondary elements : Red blisters appear on the face, hands and feet. As a rule, this is also observed in patients eye inflammation.

Less common symptoms of sarcoidosis are weight loss, fatigue, weakness, sweating at night, fever, and malaise.

Prevalence

Until relatively recently, sarcoidosis is a fairly rare disease. It is now known that it is a very common chronic disease, and in several countries - the most common disease of those that lead to the formation of scar tissue in the lungs.

Sarcoidosis occurs in both sexes and virtually all ethnic groups, but it is most common among black women, as well as people from Scandinavia, Germany, Ireland and Puerto Rican. What is the reason is unknown.

Because sarcoidosis can be confused with many other diseases, or simply do not notice the survey, we can only guess about the real number of cases. According to approximate data, the United States suffer from sarcoidosis five of 100,000 Caucasians, and forty of 100,000 blacks. In large cities, people get sick sarcoidosis slightly more often than in the province, however, such data are related to the fact that hospitals in big cities tend to have better diagnostic capabilities. Many scientists believe that the currently available information on the prevalence of sarcoidosis significantly underestimate the true prevalence of the disease.

Sarcoidosis sick, mostly people aged 20 to 40 years. The causes of this disease are unknown. Among the white population of sarcoidosis is equally common in men and women, and among blacks it is twice as likely to be diagnosed in women.

In Scandinavian countries, the prevalence of sarcoidosis recognized earlier than in many other regions of the world. Here they are sick 64 people out of 100,000.

Sarcoidosis: known and unknown

Currently sarcoidosis remains very poorly understood disease. However, what about him yet known, can reduce some of the fears of people who are faced with this disease.

First of all, sarcoidosis is not a serious illness, which drastically reduce the quality of life. Often it can be cured, or it takes place itself; In most cases, the recovery process takes 24 to 36 months. Even if the illness lasts longer, it usually does not interfere with patients to live a normal life. Sarcoidosis - no malignant disease (many people misleads its consonance with sarcoma, but it's a completely different disease). It is not contagious. Although sometimes sarcoidosis occurs in families, there is no evidence to indicate that it is transmitted from parents to children.

The main mystery associated with sarcoidosis is the cause of the disease. The most likely it considered a theory that sarcoidosis is caused by abnormal functioning of the immune system.

In 60% -70% of cases of sarcoidosis leads to a short-term occurrence of mild symptoms, and passes without treatment; Patients often can not imagine that they have a disease such as its symptoms, doctors do not notice. In 20% -30% of cases of sarcoidosis results in permanent damage in the lungs - usually not very serious. In 10% -15% of patients sarcoidosis becomes chronic.

When formed granulomas or in their place of scar tissue have a significant impact on the operation of vital organs - such as the lungs, heart, kidneys, liver and nervous system - sarcoidosis may result in death. This occurs in approximately 5% -10% of cases. In some people, the risk of severe complications of sarcoidosis is higher than others, but what is the reason is unknown.

It is impossible to predict how sarcoidosis will occur in individual patients, but it is known that the Caucasians, he often occurs in a mild form, while blacks are more common and severe form of chronic sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis rarely occurs in people under the age of ten years and over sixty years, but there are cases when the disease is diagnosed in very young and elderly patients.

Diagnostics

During the diagnosis, the doctor examines the patient's medical history, conducting a general survey makes a blood test and chest X-rays. In some cases, biopsy may be performed and a number of other diagnostic procedures. Granulomatous disease must be excluded, such as Beryllium, tuberculosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, fungal infection, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatism and cancer of the lymph nodes (lymphoma).

Treatment

Many patients with sarcoidosis do not need treatment: Symptoms do not affect the quality of life, and the doctors prefer to just watch the course of the disease.

In cases where the recommended therapy and its main objective is to relieve symptoms and maintenance of the lungs and other organs affected by the disease.

The main tool for controlling the formation of granulomas and inflammation in sarcoidosis are corticosteroids. Most often, patients with sarcoidosis appointed prednisone. Usually, corticosteroids lead to an improvement, but the symptoms may reappear after treatment. So sometimes the treatment lasts a few years - as long as there is a high likelihood of relapse.

It can be used, and other drugs, e.g., chlorambucil, azathioprine, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, and - they destroy cells necessary for formation of granulomas. The effectiveness of these drugs in the treatment of sarcoidosis was evaluated in clinical trials, and they are administered only in those cases where the potential benefits on their administration are comparable to the risks associated with such treatment. All these drugs are contraindicated for pregnant women.

In the research and other drugs that may be effective in the treatment of sarcoidosis.

Patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis, you should stop smoking, and avoid any substance - for example, dust and chemicals - which can harm the lungs.