Sarcoidosis Secrets have previously been presented in our blog. However, this is April, and the awareness month for Sarcoidosis is also a spring tradition.
On one hand, everyone recognizes the “pink ribbon” that reminds us of Breast Cancer Campaigns. On the other hand, Sarcoidosis is not an ordinary household word.
The truth is that the danger of this disease is unknown to most people. FLASS doctors and staff feel higher awareness of this disease is vital. Therefore, we want to review the facts about this condition.
The Big Disease You Might Not Know: The Sarcoidosis Secrets
April Campaigns Recognizes Sarcoidosis and Purple Ribbon Urges Advocacy.
This year and every year, we want to reflect on the facts you need to know about this sarcoidosis. We are aware you might not have heard of the disease unless someone in your family has been diagnosed with it.
The secrets of sarcoidosis are not simple. This is a disease that can be life-changing. It can also be an annoyance or a life-threatening villain.
Sarcoidosis is more common than you might think. So, let’s review some special information about sarcoidosis. It is a lung disease. However, it can affect many different parts of the body.
April Awareness Step One: What is Sarcoidosis?
According to Mayo Clinic, Sarcoidosis is “a disease characterized by the growth of tiny collections of inflammatory cells.” These cells are called granulomas and can occur in “any part of your body.”
Let’s look at some Fascinating Facts and Secrets behind this Disease.
FLASS wants you to know that this disease is most commonly discovered in the lungs and lymph nodes. Did you know 95% of Sarcoidosis cases involve the lungs? Additionally, Sarcoidosis can also “affect the eyes, skin, heart and nervous system.”
As we have previously explained, Sarcoidosis is a rare disease. According to the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research, there are fewer than 200,000 cases per year in the United States.
You might hear of “Lofgren’s syndrome,” which is an acute but milder form of sarcoidosis. It often mysteriously disappears in a period of 6 months to 2 years.
Two More Fascinating Facts That Are Warnings
Statisticians say that “African Americans are three times more likely to be diagnosed with sarcoidosis than Caucasians. Likewise, experts explain that African Americans tend to have more severe characteristics.
Oddly, people of Scandinavian descent are also more likely to develop Sarcoidosis. FLASS cautions you that severe cases of sarcoidosis can threaten your life if it progresses to heart or severe lung disease.
Step Two of April Awareness for Sarcoidosis: Know the Symptoms
Sarcoidosis is Known Primarily as a Lung Disease. However, it Can Affect the Eyes, Skin, and Heart as Well as Almost Every System in the Human Body.
If your doctor has diagnosed you with Sarcoidosis, be aware that it is not simply a lung disease. The condition often brings skin irruptions and joint pain. Additionally, it can cause a multitude of other symptoms.
We would be remiss if we did not mention all the symptoms of Sarcoidosis. Although we have published them in previous blogs, we present you with the classic list of symptoms suffered by many Sarcoidosis patients.
Oddly, it is difficult to diagnose, because the earliest symptoms can be confused with flu or other pulmonary diseases.
Typical Early Symptoms:
- Lumpy masses in the Lungs upon examination.
- Enlarged lymph glands in the chest.
- And fever, and often overwhelming fatigue.
- Likewise, be sure to tell your doctor if you have involuntarily lost weight.
Pulmonary Symptoms: The Secrets of Sarcoidosis in the Lungs
Like many pulmonary diseases, patients with sarcoidosis experience
- Shortness of breath.
- Wheezing.
- And a persistent dry cough.
- Additionally, they frequently experience chest pain.
April Awareness of Sarcoidosis Symptoms on The Skin
First, you might notice a tender red rash or reddish-purple bumps. They show up on your shins or ankles and you might feel heat in them.
Growths can pop up under the skin (nodules), and they especially like to cluster around scars or tattoos. Another very distressing symptom involves sores on the nose, cheeks, and ears.
Sarcoidosis can even affect skin pigmentation with areas of skin showing lighter or darker in color.
Sarcoidosis in the Eyes-More of the April Awareness
- Perhaps it shows up as simply blurry vision or sensitivity to light.
- Pain in the eyes can manifest great concern.
- Severe redness is also often symptomatic of sarcoidosis. Cardiac Symptoms
Cardiac Symptoms
Chest pain can be a confusing symptom:
- Patients often exhibit swelling caused by excess fluid (edema).
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea) can be pronounced.
- Fainting (syncope,) fatigue and irregular heartbeats are often clues to this condition.
- Rapid or fluttering heartbeat (palpitations) can indicate Sarcoidosis involvement with the heart.
FLASS Message for April Awareness: Sarcoidosis Secrets
See Your Doctor If You Have Symptoms of Sarcoidosis. Do Not Self-Diagnose.
With our April Awareness, we don’t want to cause you undue anxiety. So, please do not become overly alarmed or attempt self-diagnosis.
However, if you are suffering any combination of these symptoms, we urge you to see your doctor or call the Florida Lung, Asthma, and Sleep Specialists for an appointment.
A Helpful Team for Sarcoidosis
Do not wait for the symptoms to magically evaporate. They might get worse. Seek professional help.
You see, the field of symptoms is so large that it is extremely difficult to diagnose.
Be aware that, when you are diagnosed, it is possible you will need a health team of different specialists to treat your array of symptoms. That’s why FLASS is a valuable partner for sarcoidosis patients. Your FLASS team has doctors with specialties in various health disciplines.
A Few Words from Our Founder, Dr. Fortune Alabi.
On behalf of FLASS, our founding pulmonologist, Dr. Fortune Alabi stated, “Although sarcoidosis is often thought of generally as a lung disease, it can affect many parts of the body individually or simultaneously. Our specialists treat all the facets of this disease, not simply pulmonary sarcoidosis.”
Dr. Alabi is quick to summarize, “Other than in the lungs, we find and treat sarcoidosis in lymph nodes, eyes, and skin. Sometimes it will even show up in the heart, the liver, and brain…”
He re-emphasized that the experts at FLASS, with all their areas of specialty, are uniquely qualified to manage difficult cases of this disease.
Terrific Takeaways from April Awareness of Sarcoidosis
Additionally, at FLASS, we want you to be aware that we are cautious about unnecessary treatment. If there is no organ dysfunction, we design a Sarcoidosis Action Plan to help you manage your quality of life.
For example, you might require treatment for symptoms of pain and fatigue. If your quality of life is not highly disturbed, we will use a conservative treatment approach while continuing to monitor your condition.
April Awareness on Remitting Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis can go into remission. The Stop Sarcoidosis Foundation reported some intriguing statistics on this class type of Sarcoidosis:
1. Over half of diagnosed cases of sarcoidosis go into remission after 3 years.
2. Two-thirds of diagnosed patients experience remission 10 years after their diagnosis.
3. Only 5 percent of patients’ symptoms returned after enjoying one or more years of remission.
Chronic Pulmonary Sarcoidosis Cautions
You should be aware that, in the lung, chronic sarcoidosis can become extremely serious.
- Chronic sarcoidosis might cause the granulomas to become fibrous.
- This condition can lead to pulmonary fibrosis.
- Additionally, patients with chronic pulmonary sarcoidosis can easily contract bronchiectasis and emphysema.
- Severe chronic pulmonary sarcoidosis patients might require portable oxygen or surgery.
Sarcoidosis Secrets: Here’s the Good News!
Diagnosed With Sarcoidosis? Begin Your Flass Action Plan. Remember, Early Treatment Is Your Best Treatment.
Dr. Alabi cautions, “Pulmonary sarcoidosis does not need treatment in a vast majority of cases. There is a spontaneous resolution of the disease in most patients. Thus, if you have no major respiratory symptoms, we advise you to avoid unnecessary treatment.”
Sarcoidosis Secrets and Specialists
In contrast, some patients endure long, ongoing sarcoidosis. It can create permanent damage to many parts of the body. We reiterate that these patients require physicians, like the specialists at FLASS, who closely monitor damage to several body systems.
Sarcoidosis Awareness at FLASS brings you personalized treatment plans for all types of chronic sarcoidosis. You see, a medicine that works for one Sarcoidosis patient simply might not work on another.
At FLASS we continue to concentrate on limiting the damage of pulmonary sarcoidosis. And, simultaneously, we manage your symptoms.
Thank you for reading the FLASS blog and remember it doesn’t have to be April Awareness month to advocate for Sarcoidosis Awareness.