April is Sarcoidosis Awareness Month
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Source: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
April is Sarcoidosis Awareness Month. Campbell County Health treats and manages many chronic and life altering diseases. Check out this article from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute to find out what sarcoidosis is, what causes it and treatment options. Campbell County Health can be an asset in helping you manage chronic diseases and live a full and healthy life.
Sarcoidosis is a condition that develops when groups of cells in your immune system form red and swollen (inflamed) lumps, called granulomas, in various organs in the body. The inflammation that leads to these granulomas can be caused either by infections or by certain things you come into contact with in your environment.
Sarcoidosis can affect any organ. Most often it affects the lungs and lymph nodes in the chest. You may feel extremely tired or have a fever. You may also have other symptoms depending on what organ is affected. Your doctor will diagnose sarcoidosis in part by ruling out other diseases that have similar symptoms.
Treatment will depend on your symptoms and which organs are affected. Medicines can help treat the inflammation or lower your body’s immune response. Not everyone needs treatment, so talk to your healthcare provider about your options.
What causes sarcoidosis?
Your immune system creates inflammation to help defend you against germs and sickness. But in sarcoidosis, inflammation goes off track and the cells in your immune system form lumps, called granulomas, in your body. Over time, inflammation may lead to permanent scarring of organs. Sarcoidosis often affects the lungs and lymph nodes. A referral to Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine or an Endocrinologist could be beneficial to managing and treating sarcoidosis.
Campbell County Medical Group Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine diagnoses and treats chronic diseases of the lung and respiratory system. Dr. Nolledo and his team provide comprehensive care and testing, while Dr. Repas in Endocrinology works one on one with patients to understand and manage chronic diseases affecting lymph nodes and other parts of the endocrine system.
What raises your risk of sarcoidosis?
There are many risk factors for sarcoidosis. Some risk factors, such as where you work, can be changed. But your age, family history, and many other risk factors cannot be changed.
Age: You can get sarcoidosis at any age, but the risk increases as you get older, especially after age 55.
Environment: Living or working near insecticides, mold, or other substances that may cause inflammation raises your risk. You may be around these substances if you are in health care or the automotive industry, or are a farmer or firefighter.
Family history and genetics: Having a close relative with sarcoidosis raises your risk.
Medicines: Certain types of HIV medicines and monoclonal antibodies used to treat cancer or an overactive immune system can raise your risk.
Race or ethnicity: Your risk is higher if you are of African or Scandinavian descent.
Sex: Women are more likely to have sarcoidosis, although men can also have it.
Other medical conditions, such as lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, can also lead to sarcoidosis.
For more information, talk to your healthcare provider about any concerning symptoms you may have, and see if they would recommend a referral to see Dr. Nolledo or Dr. Repas with Campbell County Health.
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