Sacoidosis, The Hutchinson's Disease. Symptoms, Causes and Treatment.

Human Respiratory System

             

     Sarcoidosis was first identified over 100 years ago by two dermatologists working independently, Dr. Johnathan Hutchinson in England and Dr. Caesar Boeck in Norway. This was why Sarcoidosis was first called Hutchinson's disease or Boeck's disease. Dr. Boeck went on to fashion out today's name for the disease from the Greek word "sark" and "oid," meaning flesh-like. The term described the skin eruption that are frequently cause by the illness.


     Sarcoidosis is a disease of unknown cause that lead to inflammation of multiple organs in the body, but most often on the lungs and lymph glands. It is also called sacoid and involve the collections of abnormal inflammatory cells (granulomas) that can formed as nodules in multiple organs.

     As sarcoidosis progresses, microscopic lumps of a specific form of inflammation called granulomas, appear in the affected tissue. In the majority of cases, this granulomas clear up, either with or without treatment. In the few cases where the granulomas do not heal and disappear, the tissue tends to remain inflamed and become scarred (fibrotic.)

     Areas of the body commonly affected by sarcoidosis includes:
    (a) Liver
    (b) Skin
    (c) Lungs
    (d) Heart
    (e) Brain
    (f) Lymph nodes.

                                             Causes

 

Skimming to attack the lungs.

     The exact cause of sacoidosis is not known. However possible causes and risk factors includes:
    (1) Having a family history of sarcoidosis.
    (2) Having a sensitivity to environmental factors, such as dust.
    (3) Having a prior infection.
    (4) Being African-American.
    (5) Being female.

     The condition of this illness is rare amongst children, symptoms may be sighted between the age of 20 to 40 years range.

                                  Symptoms of Sarcoidosis.

 

     Damage to Skin

     It can be difficult to diagnose sarcoidosis. symptoms can mimic those of other ailments, such as arthritis, or cancer. Sometimes, victims of this disease may not have symptoms, but the general symptoms observable includes:

     (i) Chronic joint pain.
     (ii) Fatigue
     (iii) Dry mouth.
     (iv) Weight loss.
     (v) Fever.
     (vi) Abdominal swelling.
     (vii) Nosebleeds.

     The above symptoms depends on which part of the body is affected by sarcoidosis, but it is very common in the lungs. However, the lungs symptoms includes the following:
     . A dry cough
     . Chest pain around the breast bone.
     . Shortness of breath.

     Skin symptoms may includes:
     * Hair loss.
     * Raised scars.
     * Skin sores.
     * Skin rash.

     Nervous system symptoms may includes:
     * Severe Headache.
     * Seizures
     * Facial weakness.

     Eye symptoms may includes:
     * Vision loss
     * Discharge from the eye.
     *Burning sensation in the eye.
     *Dry eyes
     * Eye pain
     * Itchy eyes

                             Treatment of Sarcoidosis.

 

Medium of treatment.

    
     There is no cure for sacoidosis. However, symptoms often improve without treatment. In severe situation, doctors may prescribed medications such as:

     Corticosteroids:- This is to reduce the inflammatory effect.
      Immunosuppressants: This is to decrease the immune system response.

     Treatment is more likely if the disease affect the;
     * Eye
     * Nervous system
     * Lungs
     * Heart

     The length of any therapy will vary. Some people take medication for one or two years. Whereas others will be on medication for much longer time.