As an inflammatory, autoimmune, and intensely complex disease, sarcoidosis will commonly produce symptoms that can be found in the lungs but can also occur in the nervous system, brain, lymph nodes, skin, eyes, heart, liver, spleen, or any other area of the body. Since sarcoidosis can involve any organs within the body and has varied symptoms, it often mimics other diseases and is difficult to diagnose.
Symptoms of Sarcoidosis
The signs and symptoms of sarcoidosis vary greatly depending on which organs are affected. Some sarcoidosis patients have no symptoms, others have symptoms that mimic other diseases, while other patients present with more serious symptoms. Most people with sarcoidosis develop symptoms suddenly, but find that they clear within a few months or years. However, some sarcoidosis patients find their symptoms develop gradually and worsen over time. The beginning and ending of symptoms, and their impact and severity, will vary by person.
General Sarcoidosis Symptoms
In general, many sarcoidosis patients will experience the following symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Weight loss
- Night sweats
- Kidney stones
- Pain and swelling in joints, such as the ankles
Lung Symptoms
Close to 90% of patients with Sarcoidosis have pulmonary sarcoidosis, which affects the lung and causes lung-related issues such as:
- Persistent dry cough
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Chest pain, although uncommon
Skin Symptoms
Sarcoidosis may also cause skin problems, including:
- A rash of red or reddish-purple bumps, usually on the shins or ankles
- A rash that may be warm and tender to the touch
- Disfiguring sores or lesions on the nose, cheeks, and ears
- Areas of skin that are darker or lighter in color
- Growths, or nodules, under the skin, especially around scars or tattoos
Eye Symptoms
Sarcoidosis may affect the eyes without causing any additional symptoms, so it’s important to get your eyes checked annually. If eye symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Blurred vision or loss of vision, also called optic neuritis
- Eye pain
- Burning, itching, or dry eyes
- Severe redness
- Sensitivity to light
Heart Symptoms
Signs and symptoms related to cardiac sarcoidosis may include:
- Shortness of breath
- Fainting
- Irregular heartbeats
- Rapid or fluttering heart beat, or palpitations
- Heart failure
- Swelling caused by excessive fluid
Other Sarcoidosis Symptoms
Other sarcoidosis symptoms may include:
- A feeling of discomfort or illness
- Depression
- Enlarged or tender lymph nodes
- Nose bleeds
- Abdominal pain and swelling
- Hearing loss
- Hair loss
- Enlarged liver
- Hearing loss
- Meningitis
- Psychiatric disorders
Remember, the symptoms of sarcoidosis often mimic the symptoms of other medical conditions, so simply experiencing these symptoms does not mean you have sarcoidosis. However, if you notice any of the above symptoms, especially if they are accompanied by one or more other symptoms, it’s important to contact your doctor to discuss your diagnostic options. We offer resources for choosing a doctor, including The Sarcoidosis Doctor Database and WASOG Sarcoidosis Clinics, as well as a host of other patient resources. While there is no cure for sarcoidosis, the right treatments can put you into remission and limit the additional damage sarcoidosis can do to your organs.
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