Sarcoidosis Overview

What is Sarcoidosis?

Sarcoidosis is a complex, multi-system inflammatory disease that can affect any organ in the body. Affecting more than 200,000 individuals in the United States, sarcoidosis is most commonly found in the lungs and lymph nodes, but also appears in other organs, including the eyes, kidneys, heart, brain, and skin. While there is currently no cure, sarcoidosis is a very manageable disease. The specialized sarcoidosis care team at MUSC Health works closely with patients and their families to create a comprehensive therapy plan to improve the lives of patients affected with the disease while allowing them the opportunity to live a long and fulfilling life.

What are symptoms of Sarcoidosis?

Sarcoidosis symptoms can vary greatly depending on which organs are affected. Sarcoidosis can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms can mimic those of other diseases. Generally, patients require six or more physician visits until a diagnosis of sarcoidosis is confirmed.

General Symptoms

• Cough
• Shortness of Breath
• Fatigue
• Pain and Swelling
• Weight Loss
• Night Sweats

Lung

• Fainting / Passing Out
• Wheezing / Abnormal Breathing
• Chest Pain

Heart

• Swelling
• Chest Pain
• Fainting / Passing Out
• Irregular and / or Fast Heart Beat

Skin

• Discolored skin (darker / lighter)
• Lumps and bumps on your skin
• Reddish in color bumps or patches on the skin

Eyes

• Blurred Vision
• Double Vision
• Increased Sensitivity to Light
• Dry and / or Watery Eyes
• Eye Pain

Brain

• Headaches
• Seizures
• Stroke-Like Symptoms
• Hearing Loss

What are the causes of Sarcoidosis?

The cause of sarcoidosis is still unknown, but current research suggests environmental triggers such as bacteria, viruses, dust, or chemicals may contribute. There is also increasing evidence that genetics, race, gender, age, and geographical location may also contribute to the root cause of the disease.

Risk Factors

While anyone can develop sarcoidosis, factors that may increase your risk include:

• Age and sex. Sarcoidosis is most common in young people between the ages of 20 and 40. However, it can affect any age group and race. Women are slightly more likely to develop the disease.
• Race. People of African descent and those of Northern European descent have a higher incidence of sarcoidosis. African-Americans are more likely to have involvement of other organs along with the lungs.
• Geography. Geographically, sarcoidosis is more prevalent in the northeast, south, and midwest regions of the United States.

For more information on Sarcoidosis, visit the Patient Education and Resources page.