Sarcoidosis (SAR-coy-DOH-sis) also called sarcoid (from the greek 'sark' and 'oid' meaning "flesh-like") or Besnier-Boeck disease. It's a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown etiology.
This is a worldwide disease with the lowest prevalence in the Far East and the highest in Sweden. The prevalence in the United States is 20-50/100,000 population. Sarcoidosis has a higher frequency in people of color and in women, but the disease is also common in whites and men in the U.S. and throughout the world.
Sarcoidosis does occur in children and elderly, but most patients present between ages 20-40 years. The condition can strike anywhere in the body, from the skin to the liver. But it most commonly affects the lungs, causing shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing and occasionally chest pain. The most common presenting findings are thoracic lymphadenopathy, lung parenchymal abnormality and lesions of the skin and eye.
Death rarely results from sarcoidosis, but the condition was listed, along with sleep apnea, as a probable factor in the death of former National Football League player Reggie White in December 2004.
Other famous people with sarcoidosis include basketball legend Bill Russell, sitcom actress Tisha Campbell-Martin, model-actress Karen Duffy, who wrote a book about her rare form of the disease, which affected her spine and caused devastating headaches and Bernie Mac sitcom actor of "The Bernie Mac Show" announced in February of 2005 that he's had sarcoidosis since 1983. His health had been the subject of speculation since last summer when he was hospitalized and later released. The latest person to talk about having Sarcoidosis is Singer/Songwriter Angie Stone. (see pics)
Finally,you can't catch sarcoidosis from someone who has it. More research is needed to discover what causes sarcoidosis.
Among the things currently being investigated by Sarcoidosis researchers are:
Does Sarcoidosis have many causes, or is it caused by a single agent?
In which body organ does Sarcoidosis actually start?
How does Sarcoidosis spread from one part of the body to another?
Do heredity, environment, and lifestyle play any role in the appearance, severity, or length of the disease?
Is the abnormal immune response seen in patients a cause or an effect of the disease?
How can Sarcoidosis be prevented?
The purpose of the
this page is to support others and raise awareness about Sarcoidosis.
Hi! Stopping by to say hello:) when you get a chance check out my website at www.tni.com/leslie-robin Tahitian Noni juice is helping so many people like me with Sarcoidosis, no obligation but please check it out when you get a chance:) big hugs!
Hi! Not trying to sell you a thing! But please check out my bulletins as I put them up about tahitian Noni juice and immune system and sarcoid, and fibro m. I wouldnt be able to type or even be on myspace if my dear friend didnt send me a case of TNJ! Have a great weekend!
Thank you for getting the word out that Sarcoidosis is not just a lung disease. There are a few of us who have no lung activity. I have Cardiac Sarcoidosis. To everyone with Sarcoid, one day we won't have to explain people will know what our disease is. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
According to the NATIONAL Health Observances calendar at http://www.healthfinder.gov/library/nho/nho.asp. April is........ National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month
Tonight I lost my best friend to Cardiac Sarcoidosis. Jill was 38 years old. She had two small children and a husband. She was a member of this site. I love you Jill... I can't imagine how I can go on without you. I will love you forever....
Hi Sarcoidosis Awareness.I am a Woman of 61 and have sarcoidosis on the lungs,diagnosed year 2002, and I was fortunate, because it manifested also on the skin, arms ,back ,shoulders. Doctors, here in Italy don't know much of this disease,because very little people have it. I can't take cortison medcins, because there is also a autoimmune disease of my liver.(PBC)I wish I could know more, can you help me? Thanks and Love Sarasvati
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Thank you so much for the add. I have Sarcoidosis and my beautiful son has Autism and I want people to know that life is still a Blessing and still fulfilling:)Stay in Touch and I love your page! God Bless You and yours.
I wanted to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. Thank you for letting people know about Sarcoidosis... And for those of you wondering what we look like well right now I don't look sick, but I am. Love, Allison
Please visit http://www.cafepress.com/classycreationz.180978879 to check out our groups Awareness calendar, featuring over 150 of the groups children. Thank you for being our friend! With friends like you we can CREATE awareness, one friend at a time! Tonya
HELLO THERE!MY NEW FRIEND.THANK YOU FOR THE ADD.I HAVE A CLOSE DEAR FRIEND,THAT HAS SARCOIDOSIS.I WANTED TO LETCHA NO MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU ALL.I WILL HELP TO SPREAD THE WORD.GOD BLESS YOU ALL!UR FRIEND ALLWAYZ TERESA.
We would appreciate anyone who becomes a friend of Dawn and helps with getting the word out about her upcoming video release of How We Die. This was the last song Dawn recorded prior to losing her battle with Cancer on March 28, 2007
Dawn’s twin sister Sherrie accepts The Geri Lester Heroes of Breast Cancer Courage Award – In Memory from the Karmanos Cancer Institute on Dawn’s behalf in the video recorded on October 22, 2007.
You can view this award presentation on Dawn's MySpace page.
