In his case, they were related to an autoimmune disease, sarcoidosis. Diana: It was experimental, but it put that sarcoid into remission and that gave Jim his life back. It turned out to be a really good risk. Jim: I didn't realize that the Mayo Clinic was so accessible. When I go there I have no doubt that I'm going to meet competent people in their work and their field.
That, I think, gives you the confidence to trust that you are going to be okay. My experience at Mayo I think has helped me be here for my grandkids. I'm just so thankful to be here. Doctors don't know the exact cause of sarcoidosis. Some people appear to have a genetic predisposition to develop the disease, which may be triggered by bacteria, viruses, dust or chemicals. This triggers an overreaction of your immune system, and immune cells begin to collect in a pattern of inflammation called granulomas.
As granulomas build up in an organ, the function of that organ can be affected. Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care like they've never experienced. See the stories of satisfied Mayo Clinic patients. She was able to safely receive the medical care she needed at Mayo Clinic thanks to measures in place to protect patients and staff.
Sheila Piper considers herself blessed. She has a wonderful family that includes Ron, her husband of [ Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.
Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Sarcoidosis is a disease characterized by the growth of tiny collections of inflammatory cells granulomas in any part of your body — most commonly the lungs and lymph nodes.
Jim: I was in the hospital again and this time, it was open-heart surgery. Jim: It was discovered at that time that I had sarcoidosis. Diana: You're going to have to go to the Mayo Clinic. Diana: The treatment, the doctors, the teamwork was unbelievable.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Sarcoidosis. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed Nov. If your symptoms suggest you have pulmonary sarcoidosis sarcoidosis affecting the lungs , you may have a chest X-ray or a computerised tomography CT scan of your lungs to look for signs of the condition. In some cases, doctors may want to examine the inside of your lungs using a long, thin, flexible tube with a light source and a camera at the end an endoscope that's passed down your throat.
A small sample of lung tissue may also be removed during this test so it can be studied under a microscope. This is known as a biopsy. If doctors think you may have sarcoidosis affecting other organs — such as the skin, heart or eyes — scans or examinations of these areas will usually be carried out. Most people with sarcoidosis do not need treatment as the condition often goes away on its own, usually within a few months or years.
Simple lifestyle changes and over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen are often all that's needed to control the pain of any flare-ups. Doctors will monitor your condition to check if it's getting any better or worse without treatment. This can be done with regular X-rays, breathing tests and blood tests. If treatment is recommended, steroid tablets are usually used.
This helps relieve symptoms and prevent damage to affected organs by reducing inflammation and preventing scarring. However, steroid tablets can cause unpleasant side effects such as weight gain and mood swings if taken in high doses. Other side effects, such as weakening of the bones osteoporosis , can also develop if steroids are taken for a long time.
Therefore, they're only used when necessary. You may initially be given a high dose of steroid medicine for a short period of time, before switching to a low dose for the months or years that follow. Your condition will be monitored during this time to see how well the treatment is working.
In some cases, taking calcium or vitamin D supplements can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis caused by long-term use of steroid medicine. However, you should only take these if advised to by a doctor. Some people with sarcoidosis may have an increased risk of developing complications, including kidney stones, while taking steroid medicine.
Other medicines may sometimes be used if steroids are not enough or there are concerns about side effects. In these cases, a medicine called an immunosuppressant might be recommended. This may help to improve your symptoms by reducing the activity of your immune system. Treatment side effects Patients with sarcoidosis are often treated with corticosteroid prednisolone therapy. This can cause softening of the bones osteoporosis.
Thin bones do not cause symptoms but do leave the bones weakened, more fragile and prone to breaking. Sarcoidosis and the Joints, Muscles and Bones:. This measures how strong your bones are and can help to guide treatment. Your physician may also measure calcium and vitamin D levels.
The levels of these may be affected by sarcoidosis and are important for healthy bones. Treatment There are a number of treatments to help strengthen the bone and prevent fractures. The most commonly prescribed drug is once weekly Alendronic acid.
As people with sarcoidosis can be prone to having a high calcium level, is it important that your your calcium and vitamin D levels are measured before taking any supplements.
These levels will then be regularly monitored with blood tests. Refer to the SarcoidosisUK website for further advice. It is important that your physician knows about your joint symptoms as you may benefit from changes in treatment or physiotherapy.
Symptoms Any joint can be affected by sarcoidosis but the main joints affected are the feet, ankles and knees. Symptoms commonly include:. Investigations Joint pain is diagnosed via consultation with your doctor. Occasionally, further investigations are required.
This may include X-rays of your joints or other imaging scans ultrasound or MRI. Your physician may take a sample of fluid from your swollen joint using a needle and syringe biopsy. Treatment There are a number of treatments that can reduce the symptoms in your joints. These may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , corticosteroids prednisolone or other immune medications such as Methotrexate.
Advice Inflamed joints can be painful and can restrict daily movement. Despite this, try to keep moving and exercise daily.
0コメント