Sarcoidosis Prognosis
Important Information about Sarcoidosis Prognosis
While a Sarcoidosis prognosis is good, many people still do not understand what this disease involves, in part because the exact cause remains unknown. This systemic disorder causes non-necrotizing granulomatous inflammation, which includes different levels of concomitant fibrosis. Typically, the lungs are the primary area of the body affected by Sarcoidosis but it can also affect the skin and eyes.
Because the cause is unknown, preventative measures do not exist. Therefore, instead of prevention, most medical experts and patients focus on Sarcoidosis prognosis. The good news is that most patients can manage the illness with little trouble, allowing them to live a long, normal life. In approximately 75% to 80% of people diagnosed, Sarcoidosis prognosis is great, although it does involve mild off and on again attacks. This means only 20% to 25% of patients end up with more serious issues. While this disease can be fatal, the numbers are very small.
Again, exact preventative measures are difficult to pinpoint without a cause but because the lungs are involved, doctors tell patients to avoid smoking, stay out of environments with smog, chemicals, and dust, and see the doctor regularly. Even with the Sarcoidosis prognosis being positive, many people will experience some level of depression simply because so few people know anything about the disease so they end up feeling all alone.
To improve the Sarcoidosis prognosis even more, additional research is being looked at regarding the possible causes, some that include:
- Mycobacteria – This is often associated with other lung diseases to include tuberculosis, non-tuberculosis, and a deficiency in the cell wall, known as L-forms.
- Bacteria – Potential causes include Tropheryma whippleii, Propionibacterium acnes, and Corynebacterium spp
- Fungi – Endemic and Cryptococcus are suspect
- Viruses – Possible connections include Herpes simplex virus, Cytomegalovirus, and the Epstein Barr virus
During the 80 years this disease has been identified, Sarcoidosis prognosis has become increasingly more positive. Of course, this all begins with proper diagnosis. Interestingly, both favorable and unfavorable situations have a direct impact on the Sarcoidosis prognosis, which include:
- Favorable – Caucasian people, those with Lofgren’s syndrome, and people in the scadding stage
- Unfavorable – Situations when Sarcoidosis prognosis is not as good include black people, anyone less than 40 years of age, people with bone or sinus involvement, and medical conditions such as Nephrocalcinosis, Lupus pernio, Organomegaly, and Cardiac Disease
Additionally, the Sarcoidosis prognosis would have a link to the outcome predicted through chest x-rays so doctors can determine the stage at which the disease was caught. If people have a chronic case, inflammation becomes a challenge but most studies show that the number of cases is low. Finally, Sarcoidosis prognosis would also depend on potential complications, which would include mycetomas, bronchiectasis, hypertension, endobronchial stenosis, pleural effusions, and on rare occasions, bullous disease of the lungs. However, early detection and treatment is typically positive so people should not let a diagnosis automatically be seen as a death sentence.