Sarcoidosis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Sarcoidosis is a condition that results in inflammation (swelling) of tissues and organs of the body. With sarcoidosis, granulomas (lumps) appear in the lungs, skin, lymph nodes, or eyes. Granulomas may appear when your body is fighting off certain infections. Normally, granulomas decrease in number and disappear after fighting harmful germs and substances. In sarcoidosis, granulomas increase in size and number, and cause problems in areas where they grow. With sarcoidosis, granulomas are most often seen in the lungs or lymph nodes. It is thought that sarcoidosis may be caused by problems in the immune system, such as an autoimmune disease. The immune system is your body's defense system against infections and diseases. Frequently being around chemicals or having family members who also have the disease may increase the risk of having sarcoidosis.
  
  
• Signs and symptoms of sarcoidosis may come and go. You may have signs and symptoms for a time, then they will get better, and start up again. These may include weight loss, weakness, fever, fatigue (getting tired easily), and skin lesions. You may also have chest pain, trouble breathing or thinking, coughing up blood, and painful swelling of muscles and joints. You need an x-ray, computerized tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), biopsy, and blood tests to diagnose sarcoidosis. Treatment aims to decrease the swelling of granulomas and prevent their increase in number. Your caregiver may give you medicines, such as steroids, cytotoxics, and pain medicines, to decrease signs and symptoms. He may have to do surgery to remove granulomas causing problems inside your body. Diagnosing and treating sarcoidosis as soon as possible may relieve your symptoms and help you keep doing your usual activities.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

• Treatment of sarcoidosis may carry certain risks. Medicines for sarcoidosis may have some unwanted side effects. They may cause nausea (upset stomach), vomiting (throwing up), dizziness, constipation (dry hard stools), and high blood pressure. They may also cause osteoporosis (weak bones). During surgery you may bleed more than the usual or have an infection.
  
  
• If left untreated, granulomas may cause further damage in the affected areas. They may damage your lungs and cause pulmonary fibrosis (scarred, useless areas of your lung). You may have trouble breathing and feel very tired most of the time. Granulomas in your brain may cause problems thinking, remembering things, and controlling your actions and feelings. You may have blindness, further hearing loss, and seizures. Your heart may be affected and stop beating completely, and may even cause death. Call your caregiver if you have questions about your condition, treatment, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent: You have the right to understand your health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your condition. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.

IV: An IV is a tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. This tube is capped or connected to tubing and liquid.

Medicines:

• Cytotoxic medicines: These medicines may decrease redness, pain, and swelling, and help your immune system to fight off disease.
  
  
• Heart medicines: Your caregiver may give anti-arrhythmics to help your heart beat correctly again.
  
  
• Medicines for pain, swelling, or fever: You may be given medicines to treat pain, swelling, or fever while you are in the hospital. These medicines are safe for most people to use. However, they can cause serious problems when used by people with certain medical conditions. Tell caregivers if you have liver or kidney disease, a history of bleeding in your stomach, or any other medical problems. Also tell your caregiver about any allergies you have to medicines. Tell your caregiver about all other medicines, herbs, and supplements that you have taken lately.
  
  
• Steroids: Steroid medicine may be given to decrease inflammation, which is redness, pain, and swelling.

Tests:

• Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. The blood can be taken from a blood vessel in your hand, arm, or the bend in your elbow. It is tested to see how your body is doing. It can give your caregivers more information about your health condition. You may need to have blood drawn more than once.
  
  
• Computerized tomography scan: This is also called a CAT scan. A special x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of areas inside your body affected by sarcoidosis. It may be used to look at brain, lungs, muscles, and bones. You may be given dye before the pictures are taken. The dye may help your caregiver see the pictures better. People who are allergic to shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to some dyes. Tell the caregiver if you are allergic to shellfish, or have other allergies or medical conditions.
  
  
• Magnetic resonance imaging: This test is also called an MRI. Pictures of the affected areas allow your caregiver to see any problems inside your body. It may be used to look at your brain, lungs, muscles, and bones. You will need to lay still during a MRI. Never enter the MRI room with an oxygen tank, watch, or any other metal objects. Doing this can cause serious injury.
  
  
• Urine sample: A sample of your urine is collected and sent to a lab for tests. Your caregiver may give you a special wipe and clean cup. Use the wipe to clean the skin around the opening where you pass urine. Urinate into the clean cup. Put the lid on the cup. Do not touch the inside of the cup or the lid. Give the urine sample to your caregiver.
  
  
• X-ray: This is a test that takes picture of the inside of your body. Your caregiver may use it to look for any problems and see how your lungs and heart are doing. It may show granulomas, fluid, and other problems around your heart and lungs.

Treatment options:

• Surgery: Your caregiver may have to remove granulomas inside your body that cause very bad signs and symptoms. Your caregiver may cut away or use lasers (powerful light beams) to remove skin lesions. He may also use dermabrasion to gently smooth uneven skin or scars.
  
  

Vital signs: This includes taking your temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeat), and respirations (counting your breaths). To take your blood pressure, a cuff is put on your arm and tightened. The cuff is attached to a machine which gives your blood pressure reading. Caregivers may listen to your heart and lungs by using a stethoscope. Your vital signs are taken so caregivers can see how you are doing.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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