Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a rare disease which causes the immune system to create inflamed lumps in the body's organs.

your quick guide to this page

what is sarcoidosis?: Learn what defines sarcoidosis and what its general consequences are.
fast facts: Get a quick overview of sarcoidosis through statistics and bite-sized facts.
symptoms: Learn about the symptoms of sarcoidosis, how to recognize them, and what to do if you experience them.
lifestyle impacts: Find out how sarcoidosis impacts your lifestyle.
what can I do?: Discover management and treatment strategies for sarcoidosis.
additional resources: Find useful links, education, articles, recipes and more that can help with sarcoidosis.

what is sarcoidosis?

Sarcoidosis is a condition that causes abnormal inflammatory lumps known as granulomata in different parts of the body. Typically the disease starts in the lungs, skin, or lymph nodes but can also affect the heart, liver, and the brain. Formation of granulomata in the liver can lead to fibrosis and eventually liver scarring.

fast facts

The prevalence of sarcoidosis in Canada is estimated to be 6.8 for every 100, 000 people per year.
The risk of developing sarcoidosis increases with age.
Sarcoidosis is more prevalent in people of African American and Northern European descent.
Sarcoidosis is slightly more common in women.

lifestyle impacts

In extreme cases, sarcoidosis can lead to life threatening complications to the body’s essential organs. Early detection and treatment is essential to prevent progression to serious stages. When inflammation is controlled throughout the body, many individuals still experience severe fatigue which can be debilitating and lead to loss of work and a limited social life. It is important to eat a balanced diet, engage in regular exercise, and get quality sleep to help manage symptoms.

what can I do?

prevention

The exact cause of sarcoidosis is still unknown. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle may prevent the disease from getting worse. Lifestyle changes to help manage sarcoidosis include eating a balanced diet high in fruits and vegetables, getting regular physical activity, and quitting smoking to improve your overall health.

diagnosis

Diagnostic techniques for sarcoidosis include:

Physical exam to assess skin, eyes, and lymph nodes.
Diagnostic imaging tests (X-rays, CT scan, MRI) to identify lumps in organs.
Blood tests measuring enzyme levels to identify scarring of the liver or damage to other organs.
Liver biopsy can be used to confirm diagnosis.

treatment

The primary treatment for sarcoidosis is corticosteroids which reduce the activity of the immune system to help control the development of lumps in various organs. Patients often feel relief of symptoms within the first few months of use.

additional resources

Here are a few questions to ask your doctor or medical team:

What organs are impacted by my sarcoidosis?
What common symptoms for sarcoidosis should I look out for?
What lifestyle changes should I make to improve my symptoms?
What are some treatment options available?
What are the side effects of the treatment?