Sarcoidosis (Sar-coy-DOH-sis) is a disease of inflammation that appears most often in the lungs. Sarcoidosis occurs throughout the world among people of all races, sexes, and ages. It is not contagious.
It isn't known why Sarcoidosis strikes some and not others. Even the basic cause of this disease is unknown. Sarcoidosis seems to result when a susceptible person encounters an external trigger, probably by inhaling it. In the disease, lymphocytes, a type of blood cell, become overactive. They release chemical substances that attract other inflammatory cells and form granulomas (a collection of inflammatory cells) in one or more organs of the body, 90 percent of the time affecting the lungs.
Symptoms of Sarcoidosis are similar to those in many other types of diseases, so it sometimes is very difficult to diagnose. In the lungs, it can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, and a dry cough. The eyes, skin, lymph glands, heart, bones, joints, or nervous system can also show symptoms. But most Sarcoidosis patients have no symptoms at all.
Learn more about Sarcoidosis at the American Lung Association National Web site.
The Association sponsors a monthly support group for people with Sarcoidosis and their families on the second Saturday of each month at Kaiser Permanente, 10990 San Diego Mission Road (1st Floor Room 1AB). Call 619-297-3901 for more information.
