Sarcoidosis is a disease that leads to the growth of granulomas which are inflammatory cells. They will often form in clusters referred to as collections. In most cases, these granulomas will form in either the lymph nodes, lungs, or both. That being said, it can actually affect a wide variety of locations in and on your body. These include the skin, eyes, heart, nervous system, and various other organs. Doctors haven’t been able to find a cure for sarcoidosis.
That being said, most patients with sarcoidosis are able to live normal lives with only minor treatment. Some patients have even been able to go without any treatment at all. Still, sarcoidosis generally lasts for years on end and can result in damage to various organs. If you’re hoping to identify the disease, then here are eight things that are commonly cited as causes for sarcoidosis.
1. Age
Sarcoidosis can actually occur regardless of age. That being said, while patients of any age might be affected, there are certain age groups that are at a higher risk of developing sarcoidosis. These patients are often no younger than 20 yet not older than 60 years of age. This makes sarcoidosis the opposite of an opportunistic disease as those types of diseases often target the elderly as well as children.
Sarcoidosis, on the other hand, shies away from children and older adults while focusing on those who would be considered at the peak of human health. Some doctors have suggested that this may be due to the fact that their immune systems are more active and thus the formation of granulomas is more likely. In contrast, children are still developing an immune system and the elderly have a weaker one that has been fatigued from decades of fighting off disease.