When was sarcoidosis first discovered

It probably involves a precise combination of genetic and environmental factors. The condition does run in some families. So far, a single factor causing sarcoidosis has not been identified. SarcoidosisUK is taking the lead in funding medical research to identify the causes and find a cure.

Read more about SarcoidosisUK Research. A number of websites claim to understand the causes of sarcoidosis and will sell you a cure. Please always consult your doctor before considering an alternative therapy. Sarcoidosis can affect almost any part of the body. The lungs and lymph glands in the chest are most commonly involved, affecting 9 in 10 patients with sarcoidosis.

Other parts of the body that may be commonly involved are the skin, eyes and lymph glands elsewhere in the body. The joints, muscles and bones are involved in 1 in 5 patients. The nerves and nervous system are involved in about 1 in 20 patients. The heart is involved in about 1 in 50 patients. The symptoms of sarcoidosis depend on which part of the body is affected.

They can include:. Patients with sarcoidosis may feel tired and lethargic fatigued , lose weight or suffer with fevers and night sweats. In other patients, the symptoms may develop gradually and last for many years. Sarcoidosis was first described in by English dermatologist Dr. Between and uveitis in sarcoidosis was first described. By it was first emphasised, by Dr.

Schaumann, that it was a systemic condition affecting the whole body. Read more: Definition and history of sarcoidosis Sharma, Sarcoidosis is famously hard to define. This is partly because of how complicated the condition can be and partly because of the lack of any known cause.

Below are some other definitions to help you more easily understand and explain sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis is a condition that can affect any part of the body, most often the lungs.

There is no known cause or cure. It affects everyone differently and the symptoms depend on the organ s affected. In most cases, sarcoidosis can be managed by medication and goes away after a few months or years.

In the long-term it can lead to serious organ damage. Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease that primarily affects the lung and lymphatic systems of the body.

A diagnosis of the disorder usually requires the demonstration of typical lesions in more than one organ system and exclusion of other disorders known to cause granulomatous disease. The appropriate therapy for the disorder also has not been well defined for all patients.

Most importantly, the cause of the disorder is still unknown. Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disorder of unknown cause characterized by the formation of immune granulomas in involved organs. The lung and the lymphatic system are predominantly affected, but virtually every organ may be involved.

Other severe manifestations result from cardiac, neurological, ocular, kidney or laryngeal localizations. Sarcoidosis is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms often resemble other diseases. There is no single or specific test to diagnose sarcoidosis. A detailed history and examination by your doctor is the most important first step in diagnosing sarcoidosis.

They will determine which parts of your body may be affected. Blood tests Your doctor may arrange blood tests to look for signs of inflammation, to check your kidney and liver function, and your calcium levels. They may also check a marker in your blood called angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE , which is sometimes raised in patients with sarcoidosis. Lungs If your doctor suspects your lungs may be affected, they will usually arrange a chest X-ray and breathing tests spirometry.

Indeed, sarcoidosis belongs to a large family of disorders that share granuloma formation as common denominator. Since its first description by Jonathan Hutchinson in , sarcoidosis has generated enormous interest and considerable controversy. In Hutchinson's day, it was considered a dermatological condition, which gradually evolved into a multisystem disorder associated in the majority of cases with respiratory abnormalities. With time, it has also become clear that sarcoidosis occurs throughout the world, affecting individuals of both genders and all races, although its prevalence varies widely across ethnic and racial groups.

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