Symptoms
Sarcoidosis can affect any body part, but is often asymptomatic. Symptoms persists in accordance to the duration of the disease
Although Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease that can impact any body part it is often asymptomatic. Symptoms can persist in accordance to the duration of the disease. General symptoms, such as fatigue, night sweats weight loss, aching and swelling in the legs or arthritis, may develop or they may be associated with the affected organ.
Dry persistent cough and short breath are among the initial signs.
Organs most commonly affected are the lungs, lymph nodes, liver, skin, heart, nervous system, eyes and kidneys.
Lungs are usually the first organs that fall prey to the disease. Nine out of every ten patients have complications involving the lungs, which begins with an inflammation of the alveolar sacs. When the disease further invades the organ there are the customarary symptoms such as —
- Breathlessness,
- Coughing
- Wheezing.
The patients may also experience chest pain or a tight feeling in the chest. With time, the lung tissue becomes thick and fibrous, making them stiff and permanently scarred, further worsening the breathing of the affected individual.
In 20% of the patients, the disease affects the skin causing nodules (erythema nodosum) .Lesions to appear on their face, knees, legs and buttocks . One patient even describes it "like cauliflower growing out of your body," 'The nodules may go away, but other symptoms may remain.’
When the disease reaches the heart, the patient feels faint and experiences palpitations.
Eye problems are observed in 20%-30% of sarcoidosis patients, particularly children. Any part of the eye such as the cornea, sclera, retina, membranes of the eyelids or the lens may be affected by the disease. The initial symptoms are red watery eyes that may progress on to complications such as cataract, glaucoma or even blindness.
A small number (1%-5%) of sarcoidosis patients develop nervous system disorders. Granulomas can appear in the brain, spinal cord and also in the facial and optic nerves. When sarcoidosis affects the brain, stroke-like symptoms such as altered vision , tingling in the face and mouth, numbness on the left side and intense pain may occur.
The severity of the symptoms can vary according to the duration of the illness, the site of the granulomas and the extent of tissue damage. It also depends on the current active status of the granulomatous process.
