LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Sarcoidosis: Lungs
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People with sarcoidosis may have no symptoms, only vague symptoms of a general nature such as weight loss and fever, or symptoms associated with a specific organ, usually the lungs. More than one organ can be involved. Up to half of people with sarcoidosis have no symptoms when the illness is diagnosed. Thus, the diagnosis can be difficult to make. Signs and symptoms associated with specific organ involvement can include the following:
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Oral corticosteroids and other drugs that control inflammation represent the mainstay of sarcoidosis treatment. As a second line therapy, immunosuppressive agents may be of some benefit. Making healthy lifestyle choices, including not smoking and maintaining a healthful diet, is an important component of living with sarcoidosis. Lung transplantation can be considered as the treatment of last resort for intractable sarcoidosis unresponsive to immunotherapy.9
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Almost two out of three people with lung sarcoidosis improve without treatment. Even enlarged lymph nodes in the chest and extensive lung inflammation may disappear in a few months or years. If there are severe symptoms (such as shortness of breath, joint pain or fever), corticosteroids may be given. These drugs are ... given if:
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People who have sarcoidosis that has not spread beyond the chest do better than those who ... have sarcoidosis elsewhere in the body. People with enlarged lymph nodes in the chest but no sign of lung disease have a very good prognosis. Those whose disease began with erythema nodosum have the best prognosis. About 50% of people who once had sarcoidosis have relapses.
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Although the precise cause of sarcoidosis is unknown, some scientists speculate that an exaggerated defense reaction against some event or substance perceived as a threat by the immune system may trigger the condition. Other researchers have proposed that the condition may be inherited, caused by an infection, or caused by inhaled allergens or toxins found in the environment. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute is currently conducting a study to determine the cause of the condition.
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In other people, sarcoidosis slowly gets worse over the years and can cause permanent organ damage. Although treatment can help, sarcoidosis may leave scar tissue in the lungs, skin, eyes, or other organs. The scar tissue can affect how the organs work. Treatment usually does not affect scar tissue.
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