{"id":9414,"date":"2019-08-18T13:52:16","date_gmt":"2019-08-18T13:52:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=9414"},"modified":"2021-11-09T13:43:43","modified_gmt":"2021-11-09T13:43:43","slug":"14-frequent-signs-of-sarcoidosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-frequent-signs-of-sarcoidosis\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Frequent Signs of Sarcoidosis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that can affect virtually any region of your body. The affected area will see rapid growth of granulomas \u2014 inflammatory cells \u2014 in concentrated areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lungs and lymph nodes are the areas that are most prominently affected by sarcoidosis. That being said, other regions of your body may also be affected such as the skin, eyes, heart, nervous system, and other organs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors are yet to find the exact cause for sarcoidosis but some have suggested that it may be due to a combination of bodily responses to foreign substances and genetic predisposition. As of the current date, doctors haven\u2019t found a cure for sarcoidosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That being said, many people can live relatively normal lives through treatment. Early diagnosis is essential to employing effective treatment. That being the case, here are eight common signs of sarcoidosis that you should look out for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Fatigue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the first symptoms that you\u2019ll likely notice from sarcoidosis is fatigue<\/a>. This is due to the fact that your immune system will be working overtime. Sarcoidosis leads to the inflammation of various parts of your body. All this activity is sapping energy and thus leaving you more fatigued. The onset of fatigue as a result of sarcoidosis is often acute \u2014 i.e. sudden. You could feel totally fine one day and then wake up feeling very fatigued the next without any clear reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you went to the gym the day before and lifted some weights then feeling fatigued is to be expected, but if your diet and level of exercise haven\u2019t changed yet you still feel more tired all of a sudden then it may be due to sarcoidosis. If you notice this wave of sudden fatigue, especially in conjunction with the other signs on this list then you should get yourself checked for sarcoidosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Weight loss<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another sign that you may be dealing with sarcoidosis is weight loss<\/a>. It\u2019s worth noting that we\u2019re only referring to weight loss without any clear cause. If you\u2019ve been eating less or working out more then weight loss is to be expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if your lifestyle and diet have remained constant yet you still continue to lose weight without any apparent cause then you should start to be concerned. Beyond sarcoidosis, other diseases like tuberculosis and even cancer could lead to rapid weight loss without a clear cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice this rapid weight loss then you should head to your doctor immediately to get to the bottom of the problem and treat it early to increase your chances of survival. Whether it turns out to be sarcoidosis or something else entirely, nipping it at the bud will make the treatment more effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Persistent dry cough<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A dry cough<\/a> that doesn\u2019t go away could be another sign that you have sarcoidosis. This is due to the fact that the lungs are a primary target for sarcoidosis and the inflammation could lead to a cough that remains long-term. It\u2019s worth noting that other pulmonary conditions such as tuberculosis could lead to dry cough on a chronic level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That being said, tuberculosis often comes with hemoptysis (the coughing up of blood) which rarely occurs as a result of sarcoidosis making the symptom an easy way for doctors to distinguish between the two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is useful as sarcoidosis generally looks near-identical to Crohn\u2019s disease and tuberculosis on X-rays and CT scans. If you notice a persistent dry cough then you should get yourself checked up. Even if it isn\u2019t sarcoidosis, there\u2019s likely still an issue with your lungs that requires prompt diagnosis and early treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Shortness of breath<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shortness of breath is a telltale sign of sarcoidosis<\/a>. As we\u2019ve already mentioned numerous times through this article, your lungs seem to be a favorite target of sarcoidosis. The inflammation in your lungs could leave you short of breath. If you generally perform well during aerobic activities such as jogging or dancing but suddenly find yourself short of breath even after minimal exertion then something may be wrong with your lungs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try drinking some water and taking a break to see if it\u2019s simply a case of dehydration, exhaustion, or a combination of the two. If the issue persists then going for a checkup with your doctor would be wise as many different lung complications could lead to shortness of breath. That being said, you shouldn\u2019t panic and assume the worse until the diagnosis is complete because you could just stress yourself out over nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Wheezing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wheezing could also be a sign that you\u2019re dealing with sarcoidosis. When your lungs <\/a>become inflamed, the supply of air to the rest of your body becomes irregular. In the same way, any air you breathe in may also be redirected due to sarcoidosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This irregular airflow could lead to the wheezing sound that many sarcoidosis patients exhibit. It\u2019s worth noting that many people actually wheeze naturally due to the shape of their airways. That being said, their wheezing is often present from a young age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve never noticed yourself wheezing for the majority of your life and then notice a sudden emergence of the sound when you breathe then getting your lungs checked would be wise so that you can see if an issue is present and deal with it early on. Pinpointing the issue before it spirals out of control is the key to positive outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Chest pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chest pain<\/a> is another common sign of sarcoidosis. While pulmonary sarcoidosis can also cause chest pain when it inflames your lungs, the more common culprit is cardiac sarcoidosis \u2014 otherwise known as sarcoidosis of the heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When your heart is inflamed, you\u2019ll notice severe chest pain. The pain is often described as either a hot sear or a slow burn. Most patients have reported that the onset of pain is acute yet long-lasting \u2014 making it a rare combination of pain as most are either acute and short or gradual and long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of pain is almost entirely unique to sarcoidosis with only a few other conditions presenting identical symptoms. There have even been some studies showing that the inflammation of the heart due to cardiac sarcoidosis could increase the odds of developing an aortic dissection as it puts more pressure on the aorta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Blurred vision<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sarcoidosis has been known to affect the eyes in a condition known as ocular sarcoidosis. As you can imagine, inflammation of the eyes is not a pleasant experience. It often inflames the tear glands of the eyes which can lead to uncontrollable watering in some patients as well as blurred vision<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your doctor suspects that you\u2019re suffering from ocular sarcoidosis then they may perform the Schirmer test. The Schirmer test is an ocular procedure that will help doctors determine whether or not the tear glands are in fact inflamed. After your doctor verifies that your eyes are inflamed, they will try to narrow down the possible causes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have tuberculosis, emphysema, or other pulmonary conditions then they would have to eliminate the possibility of aspergillosis in your sinuses. Don\u2019t panic even if you do get a positive diagnosis for sarcoidosis as many people live normal lives through regular treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Fainting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fainting<\/a>, also known as syncope, is another sign that could be explained by the presence of sarcoidosis. When sarcoidosis affects the central nervous system, it is referred to as neurosarcoidosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This form of sarcoidosis has the potential to inflame the brain and spinal cord. It\u2019s this inflammation that leads to your increased risk of fainting. Interestingly, it can also inflame the optic nerve and cause blurred vision as well as uncontrollable watering that we described in the above sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dementia, hallucinations, and seizures can also occur as a result of the inflammation of the brain. It\u2019s often not the neurosarcoidosis itself that kills the patient but rather the various mental symptoms that it produces. Frequent checkups and constant treatment is the best way to deal with this condition and prolong the life of the patient.
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9. Fever<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the signs of sarcoidosis is a fever. A fever occurs when the body senses pathogens invading cells. It triggers an immune response, forcing the hypothalamus <\/a>to create pyrogen proteins. These pyrogens attach to the nervous system in the lower back. The increase in pyrogenic activity causes an elevation in your basal temperature, leading to a fever. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the pyrogens drive up your baseline temperature, it might take your body time to adapt. You’ll feel cold in the duration, and you might develop chills until the fever reaches the baseline level. People with sarcoidosis typically have a mild fever, and it’s not life-threatening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fever isn’t out of the ordinary and could be a sign of many other conditions. However, your doctor will add it to your list of symptoms, creating a bigger picture of the impact on your health. By adding fever into the mix with the other symptoms on the list, they get a confirmation in their diagnosis of your condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Light Sensitivity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another frequent sign of sarcoidosis is the development of light sensitivity<\/a>. Affected individuals might find they have a hard time transitioning from dark to light spaces. If you’re walking out of the house into a bright sunny day, and your eyes have a hard time adapting, that’s a sign of light sensitivity. People with light sensitivity issues need to wear dark sunglasses during the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the most advanced cases, these individuals might have to wear sunglasses indoors as well. Light sensitivity drops your quality of life, and you might find you also experience light sensitivity when watching TV. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, light sensitivity can feel like a blinding light and take several minutes for the affected individual to adapt their vision to the new settings. However, in some advanced cases, the patient may experience shooting pain through their eyeballs when exposed to a bright light source. If you’re dealing with light sensitivity issues, visit your doctor for a diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Skin Rashes and Changes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The skin also experiences changes due to the onset of sarcoidosis. The condition causes several changes, and all of them are a sign of the underlying problem. The most common skin issue affecting individuals with sarcoidosis is a rash covering the arms, legs, or face. The inflammation leaves reddened skin, and it might cause some slight irritation<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, a rash is more common in people with lighter skin tones. Rashes are always a sign of underlying health disorders, and your doctor will consider them when making their diagnosis. Other patients with sarcoidosis may experience the development of lumps on their arms or around the lymph nodes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The affected individual may also find they experience skin color changes, and they may develop a blotchy skin color. If you experience the signs of any of the skin conditions mentioned in conjunction with other symptoms in this post, contact your doctor for a consultation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Swollen Lymph Nodes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The lymphatic system<\/a> runs through our body, collecting toxins which it expels from the body. When we experience an infection, the lymph nodes act as filters, cleaning up the pathogens as the immune system kills them. When people get an infection or develop sarcoidosis, the lymphatic system goes into overdrive in an attempt to clear the infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the lymph nodes start to swell. The most common locations for lymph nodes include the armpits, the groin, and under the chin \u2013 it’s for this reason that your doctor always feels these glands when you go for a checkup. Swollen lymph nodes will stick around for as long as the sarcoidosis takes to clear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swollen lymph nodes can feel painful to touch, and they may cause pain when the folds of your skin rub against each other in the affected areas. Never press down on them or squeeze them, and it can cause damage to the node. They eventually settle down and disappear after the sarcoidosis fades. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Night Sweats<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People with sarcoidosis may develop night sweats. Night sweats occur when you start to perspire when you’re asleep. The affected individual wakes up in the middle of the might to find themselves in a pool of their sweat. Night sweats<\/a> are unattractive, and some individuals may sweat more than others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure you have a waterproof mattress cover on your bed to prevent the sweat from seeping through into the mattress fibers. Like many other symptoms in this post, night sweats are not a clear indicator of sarcoidosis. However, when combined with other symptoms, it starts to form the picture of the diagnosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Night sweats are also a sign of bacterial infection, and there could be many other causes for this dysfunction. Problems like pneumonia, tuberculosis, and other infections all produce night sweats in affected individuals. However, when combined with other issues, your doctor may issue a diagnosis of sarcoidosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. There is no Cure for Sarcoidosis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Typically, most cases of sarcoidosis resolve on their own. The condition starts when the body develops the granulomas<\/a>, and most cases involve the problem beginning in the lungs. As the patient starts to develop the condition symptoms, they may find they feel like they’re coming down with the flu or another viral or bacterial infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it’s the body’s response to the formation of the granulomas that are causing the patient’s symptoms. In most cases, the granulomas subside by themselves, but it might take days, weeks, or months for the patient to recover. In the worst cases, the patient may develop scarring and fibrosis of the lungs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medical science is at a loss to explain the cause of sarcoidosis. However, experts believe it may have ties to breathing in dust, chemicals, or infectious agents. Currently, there is no cure available for sarcoidosis, and affected individuals must work with their doctor on an actionable treatment plan to manage their symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\r\n

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