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Sarcoidosis is a
multisystem disorder that most often affects individuals
between 20 and 40 years of age. Females appear to
be affected more frequently than males. Sarcoidosis
is characterized by the abnormal formation of inflammatory
masses or nodules (granulomas) consisting of certain
granular white blood cells (modified macrophages
or epithelioid cells) in certain organs of the body.
The granulomas that are formed are thought to alter
the normal structure of and, potentially, the normal
functions of, the affected organ(s), causing symptoms
associated with the particular body system(s) in
question. In individuals with sarcoidosis, such
granuloma formation most commonly affects the lungs.
However, in many cases, the upper respiratory system,
lymph nodes, skin, and/or eyes may be involved.
In addition, in some cases, other organs may be
affected, including the liver, bone marrow, spleen,
musculoskeletal system, heart, salivary glands,
and/or nervous system (i.e., central or peripheral
nervous system).
The range and severity of symptoms associated with
sarcoidosis vary greatly, depending upon the specific
organ(s) involved and the degree of such involvement.
In some cases, the symptoms of sarcoidosis may begin
suddenly (acute), sometimes severely, and subside
in a relatively short period of time (self limited).
Acute sarcoidosis is often characterized by fatigue,
fever, generalized muscle aches, difficulty breathing
(dyspnea), joint pain, swollen glands, skin eruptions,
eye irregularities, and/or other symptoms. In the
subacute form, affected individuals may experience
no symptoms (asymptomatic), even with organ involvement.
In the chronic form of sarcoidosis, symptoms may
appear slowly and subtly, and may persist or recur
over a long time span. Initial symptoms of the chronic
form of the disorder may include difficulty breathing
(dyspnea), dry cough, limited airflow, and other
respiratory abnormalities. Symptoms associated with
other organ involvement may follow.
The exact cause of sarcoidosis is not known. However,
possible infectious, environmental, genetic, and
immunological factors are under investigation as
potential causes of the disorder.
Resources
Sarcoidosis
Research Institute
3475 Central Avenue
Memphis, TN 38111
Tel: (901)766-6951
Fax: (901)774-7294
Email: paula@sarcoidosisresearch.org
Internet: http://www.sarcoidosisresearch.org
American Lung
Association
61 Broadway, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10019
USA
Tel: 2123158700
Fax: 2122655642
Tel: 8005864872
Internet: http://www.lungusa.org
NIH/National
Eye Institute
Building 31 Rm 6A32
31 Center Dr MSC 2510
Bethesda, MD 20892-2510
United States
Tel: 3014965248
Fax: 3014021065
Email: 2020@nei.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.nei.nih.gov/
NIH/National
Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Information Center
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
Tel: (301)592-8573
Fax: (301)251-1223
Email: nhlbiinfo@rover.nhlbi.nih.gov
NIH/National
Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin
Diseases
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda, MD 20892-3675
Tel: (301)496-8188
Fax: (301)718-6366
Tel: (877)226-4267
TDD: (301)565-2966
Email: NAMSIC@mail.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.nih.gov/niams/
National Sarcoidosis
Resource Center
P.O. Box 1593
Piscataway, NJ 08855-1593
Tel: (732)699-0733
Fax: (732)699-0882
Email: nsrc@microfone.net
Internet: http://www.nsrc-global.net
Sarcoid Networking
Association
6424 151st Ave East
Sumner, WA 98390-2601
USA
Tel: 2538267737
Fax: 2538916886
Email: sarcoidosis_network@prodigy.net
Internet: http://www.sarcoidosisnetwork.org
Sarcoidosis
Network Foundation, Inc.
13337 East South Street
Suite 420
Cerritos, CA 90703
Tel: (714)739-1398
Fax: (714)739-1398
Sarcoidosis
Online Sites: A Comprehensive Source for Sarcoidosis
Information on the Internet
Email: webmaster@sarcoidosisonlinesites.com
Internet: http://www.sarcoidosisonlinesites.com
Sarcoidosis Center
6005 Park Ave
Suite 501
Memphis, TN 38119
USA
Tel: 9017615877
Fax: 9017612280
Tel: 8777272643
Email: sarcoid@sarcoidcenter.com
Internet: http://www.sarcoidcenter.com
UveitisSupport-MEEI
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
243 Charles St
Boston, MA 02114
Tel: (617)573-3546
Fax: (617)573-3181
Email: fostersf@comcast.net
Internet: http://www.uveitis.org
Foundation
for Sarcoidosis Research
PO Box 146229
Chicago, IL 60614
Tel: (773)665-2400
Fax: (773)665-0805
Email: fsr@fsrchicago.org
Internet: http://www.fsrchicago.org
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