What is Sarcoidosis?

Written by

Sarcoidois-Awareness-Ribbon

What is Sarcoidosis?

Sarcoidosis is a noninfectious, inflammatory disease.  Although the exact cause is unknown, sarcoidosis is thought to be due to an exaggerated immune response to an unknown trigger or substance the patient encounters.

People with sarcoidosis develop granulomas; small, abnormal clumps of inflammatory cells that cluster together. Although granulomas are most commonly found in the lungs, lymph nodes, eyes, and skin, they can form in almost any organ in the body.  If too many granulomas form in an organ, they can interfere with how that organ functions.

Sarcoidosis is rare, affecting approximately .01% of the population. In the United States, adults between 20 and 40 years old have the highest incidence of sarcoidosis. Women are affected more often than men and this disease is more commonly seen in individuals of African American or European descent.

Sarcoidosis causes different symptoms depending on which body parts it affects.  The lungs are involved in 90% of patients who have sarcoidosis. Symptoms of sarcoidosis in the lungs can include cough, trouble breathing, chest pains, fatigue, fever, and weight loss. Many people with sarcoidosis feel well and don’t have any symptoms at all, making it a difficult disease to detect.

There is no single test to tell if you have sarcoidosis. Medical professionals look at a patient’s history and physical exam findings in combination with imaging studies and tissue samples to determine if a person has sarcoidosis.

Since the cause of sarcoidosis is unknown, there is no cure. Patients with mild cases of this disease do not require any treatment. Frequently, about 50% of the time, people with sarcoidosis experience a spontaneous remission of their symptoms and disease. Patients with more severe cases of sarcoidosis are treated with steroids to relieve symptoms and limit tissue damage. Steroid therapy reduces the body’s immune responses and shrinks the granulomas caused by sarcoidosis.

For more information on Sarcoidosis, please visit the following links:

http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/sarcoidosis/

http://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/patient-resources/what-is-sarcoidosis/

 

Sports and Concussions

Written by

footballbrainThe arrival of spring brings more opportunities for outdoor youth sporting events and activities. Young athletes on the field frequently sustain minor injuries such as cuts, bumps, and bruises. Sometimes, when athletes fall or collide with other players, head injuries occur.  More serious head injuries that affect the brain are known as concussions.

A concussion occurs when an impact causes the brain to move back and forth within the skull. This movement can cause bruising of the brain itself or stretching, tearing or bleeding in the tissues and blood vessels that surround the brain. Patients who have suffered even a mild concussion should be monitored closely as it may take several hours, even days to determine the full effects of a concussion.

After any head injury, observe the individual closely, looking for the following:

  • Any loss of consciousness
  • Impaired physical functioning
  • Behavioral, mood, and personality changes
  • Confusion
  • Forgetfulness or difficulty remembering recent events

Seek immediate medical care for the following signs or symptoms:

  • Dilated pupils
  • Worsening headache
  • Increased drowsiness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Slurred speech
  • Convulsions or seizures
  • Significant memory problems or atypical behavior
  • If the athlete “just does not feel right”

An athlete with a concussion needs time to heal and must refrain from sports activities until he or she is fully recovered and symptom free. Injured athletes should be evaluated and cleared to resume their sport by a medical provider.  Repeat concussions can result in long-term problems in an athlete, including permanent brain damage.

To enjoy a safe spring sporting season, young athletes should always wear appropriate safety gear, follow the rules of the game, and avoid reckless or dangerous play.