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Pulmonary sarcoidosis: symptoms, treatment and prognosis

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that mainly affects the lungs and lymph nodes, although it can occur in almost all body organs. Its main characteristic is that there are small nodules, known as granulomas, and, although it can affect people of any age, gender, or ethnicity, it is not a very frequent pathology; however, those most affected by it are young adults between 20 and 40 years of age, and it has a higher incidence in women than in men.

Different pathologies can be confused with sarcoidosis because it presents clinical features very similar to other disorders, so it is essential to consult a doctor to know the correct diagnosis of an anomaly. If you want to know more about this disease, in the following FastlyHealarticle, you will find much information about pulmonary sarcoidosis: symptoms, treatment, and prognosis.

Causes of sarcoidosis in the lungs

Currently, no exact cause of sarcoidosis in the lungs is known, although different factors can considerably influence the appearance of this pathology.

Many specialists consider that people infected by viruses or bacteria and those in contact with dust or various substances may be more prone to developing this inflammatory disease in the lungs. In other words, people who are exposed to pollutants that can be absorbed by breathing, or toxic agents inhaled, are the ones who can get pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Although the person’s immune system may be in good condition, patients with this pathology suffer from an abnormal immune system response to these harmful agents. Still, it is unknown exactly why the body triggers this response to these alterations.

Despite the above, many professionals consider that genetic factors also influence sarcoidosis patients. 5% of cases arise in the same family, so if a close blood relative suffers from it, they are five times more likely to develop it.

Primary symptoms of pulmonary sarcoidosis

On some occasions, it may happen that people with pulmonary sarcoidosis do not show any symptoms. However, specific symptoms can involve any part of the system or body, so paying close attention to any alteration is essential.

Generally, patients present with changes in the lung or chest, which include:

  • Chest pain, often in the back of the sternum
  • Trouble breathing
  • Dry cough
  • In a few cases, blood when coughing may indicate an aggravation of the pathology.

Also, it is possible to notice general symptoms such as:

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Weight loss for no apparent reason
  • Joint pain is known as arthralgias

This can be confused with a wide variety of pathologies, so it is essential to go to medical consultation and have the check-ups recommended by the specialist.

Although sarcoidosis can be located only in the lungs, it is capable of generating the development of symptoms in other parts of the body and causing:

  • Hair loss
  • Ulcers and rashes
  • Migraine
  • Soft spot
  • Paralysis in specific legs of the face
  • Burning eyes
  • Secretion
  • Itch
  • Pain and dryness in the eye area
  • Dry mouth
  • Nose bleed
  • Swelling in the abdomen
  • Episodes that cause fainting are similar to those suffered by patients with certain heart diseases.

Treatment for sarcoidosis in the lungs

Patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis do not always need treatment to improve. In certain mild cases, they heal on their own, without the need to undergo any treatment or consume any particular drug.

On the other hand, patients with acute pulmonary sarcoidosis should be treated with medications that the doctor considers more appropriate. However, these are generally anti-inflammatoriesantiseptics, and analgesics to eliminate one or more of this disease’s symptoms.

If the case is severe, the patient may need therapeutic intervention if he has heavy flow with the combination of lymphatic lesions. The specialist may also choose to perform a treatment with cortisone preparations, but everything will depend on the situation of each patient and the professional’s considerations.

The prognosis for pulmonary sarcoidosis

In many cases, this disease is entirely benign, and treatment is not used since, in addition, it may not generate any discomfort to the patient. In 35% of cases, people suffering from sarcoidosis become chronic patients, so they must be under constant medical supervision.

A person with pulmonary sarcoidosis may develop respiratory failure, which can be easily treated if the pathology is identified in its early stages, so it is essential to be monitored by a doctor regularly.

It is possible that the prognosis of a person suffering from this pathology in an advanced stage of it is more favorable and that they lead a better lifestyle if they follow the recommendations indicated by the professional, such as not smoking and maintaining a more lifestyle. Healthy. Likewise, the use of chemical products should be restricted. If the patient has a weakened immune system, great caution should be exercised, so the professional’s instructions must be strictly followed.

Although the prognosis is often favorable for most pulmonary sarcoidosis patients, certain cases are not discovered or treated early that can pose numerous health risks, even life-threatening. This occurs when the pathology is advanced and irreversibly damages organs essential for life, such as the heart or lungs.

When the lungs are acutely affected and the correct treatment is not received, it may damage the lung tissue causing shortness of breath and triggering pulmonary hypertension, which could be fatal in some instances.

Cardiac arrest is also a possibility in people with advanced sarcoidosis without treatment. However, the prognosis of each disease depends on the patient, the severity of the disease, and the location of the granulomas in the body.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Pulmonary Sarcoidosis: symptoms, treatment and prognosis , we recommend that you enter our Lung and respiratory tract category .

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