Is sarcoidosis a serious illness?
For a small number of people, sarcoidosis is a chronic condition. In some people, the disease may result in the deterioration of the affected organ. Rarely, sarcoidosis can be fatal. Death usually is the result of complications with the lungs, heart, or brain.
How does a person get sarcoidosis?
The cause of pulmonary sarcoidosis is unknown. Experts think that bacteria, viruses, or chemicals might trigger the disease. It may also be genetic. This means a person is more likely to develop sarcoidosis if someone his or her close family has it.
Can sarcoidosis be fatal?
When the granulomas or fibrosis seriously affect the function of a vital organ — such as the lungs, heart, nervous system, liver, or kidneys — sarcoidosis can be fatal. Death occurs in 1% to 6% of all patients with sarcoidosis and in 5% to 10% of patients with chronic progressive disease.
How do you test for sarcoidosis?
Your doctor may recommend tests such as:
- Blood and urine tests to assess your overall health and how well your kidneys and liver are functioning.
- Chest X-ray to check your lungs and heart.
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan of the chest to check your lungs.
How long can you live with sarcoidosis?
What Is the Life Expectancy for Sarcoidosis? There is no cure for sarcoidosis, and in many cases, no treatment is required and patients recover on their own. Most patients have a normal life expectancy.
Can you live a long life with sarcoidosis?
Most people with sarcoidosis live normal lives. About 60% of people with sarcoidosis recover on their own without any treatment, 30% have persistent disease that may or may not require treatment, and up to 10% with progressive long-standing disease have serious damage to organs or tissues that can be fatal.
Does sarcoidosis make you gain weight?
The incidence of sarcoidosis increased with increasing BMI and weight gain. The IRR was 1.40 (95% CI, 0.88-2.25) for BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 at age 18 years relative to 20 to 24 kg/m2 (P trend = . 18), 1.42 (95% CI, 1.07-1.89) for BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 at baseline relative to 20 to 24 kg/m2 (P trend = .
