What is Sarcoidosis?
Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disorder that most often affects individuals between 20 and 40 years of age. Females appear to be affected more frequently than males. Sarcoidosis is characterized by the abnormal formation of inflammatory masses or nodules (granulomas) consisting of certain granular white blood cells (modified macrophages or epithelioid cells) in certain organs of the body. The granulomas that are formed are thought to alter the normal structure of and, potentially, the normal functions of, the affected organ(s), causing symptoms associated with the particular body system(s) in question. In individuals with sarcoidosis, such granuloma formation most commonly affects the lungs. However, in many cases, the upper respiratory system, lymph nodes, skin, and/or eyes may be involved. In addition, in some cases, other organs may be affected, including the liver, bone marrow, spleen, musculoskeletal system, heart, salivary glands, and/or nervous system (i.e., central or peripheral nervous system).
The range and severity of symptoms associated with sarcoidosis vary greatly, depending upon the specific organ(s) involved and the degree of such involvement. In some cases, the symptoms of sarcoidosis may begin suddenly (acute), sometimes severely, and subside in a relatively short period of time (self limited). Acute sarcoidosis is often characterized by fatigue, fever, generalized muscle aches, difficulty breathing (dyspnea), joint pain, swollen glands, skin eruptions, eye irregularities, and/or other symptoms. In the subacute form, affected individuals may experience no symptoms (asymptomatic), even with organ involvement. In the chronic form of sarcoidosis, symptoms may appear slowly and subtly, and may persist or recur over a long time span. Initial symptoms of the chronic form of the disorder may include difficulty breathing (dyspnea), dry cough, limited airflow, and other respiratory abnormalities. Symptoms associated with other organ involvement may follow.
The exact cause of sarcoidosis is not known. However, possible infectious, environmental, genetic, and immunological factors are under investigation as potential causes of the disorder.
Resources
Sarcoidosis Research Institute
3475 Central Avenue, Memphis, TN 38111
Tel: (901)766-6951
Fax: (901)774-7294
Email: paula@sarcoidosisresearch.org
Internet: http://www.sarcoidosisresearch.org
American Lung Association
61 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10019
Tel: 2123158700
Fax: 2122655642
Tel: 8005864872
Internet: http://www.lungusa.org
NIH/National Eye Institute
Building 31 Rm 6A32, 31 Center Dr MSC 2510, Bethesda, MD 20892-2510
Tel: 3014965248
Fax: 3014021065
Email: 2020@nei.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.nei.nih.gov/
NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Information Center
P.O. Box 30105, Bethesda, MD 20824-0105,
Tel: (301)592-8573
Fax: (301)251-1223
Email: nhlbiinfo@rover.nhlbi.nih.gov
NIH/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
1 AMS Circle, Bethesda, MD 20892-3675
Tel: (301)496-8188
Fax: (301)718-6366
Tel: (877)226-4267
TDD: (301)565-2966
Email: NAMSIC@mail.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.nih.gov/niams/
National Sarcoidosis Resource Center
P.O. Box 1593, Piscataway, NJ 08855-1593
Tel: (732)699-0733
Fax: (732)699-0882
Email: nsrc@microfone.net
Internet: http://www.nsrc-global.net
Sarcoid Networking Association
6424 151st Ave East, Sumner, WA 98390-2601
Tel: 2538267737
Fax: 2538916886
Email: sarcoidosis_network@prodigy.net
Internet: http://www.sarcoidosisnetwork.org
Sarcoidosis Network Foundation, Inc.
13337 East South Street, Suite 420, Cerritos, CA 90703
Tel: (714)739-1398
Fax: (714)739-1398
Sarcoidosis Online Sites: A Comprehensive Source for Sarcoidosis Information on the Internet
Email: webmaster@sarcoidosisonlinesites.com
Internet: http://www.sarcoidosisonlinesites.com
Sarcoidosis Center
6005 Park Ave, Suite 501, Memphis, TN 38119
Tel: 9017615877
Fax: 9017612280
Tel: 8777272643
Email: sarcoid@sarcoidcenter.com
Internet: http://www.sarcoidcenter.com
UveitisSupport-MEEI
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
243 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114
Tel: (617)573-3546
Fax: (617)573-3181
Email: fostersf@comcast.net
Internet: http://www.uveitis.org
Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research
PO Box 146229, Chicago, IL 60614
Tel: (773)665-2400
Fax: (773)665-0805
Email: fsr@fsrchicago.org
Internet: http://www.fsrchicago.org
