Sarcoidosis Diagnosis

Sarcoidosis diagnosis is not a straightforward, easy task, since the disease can imitate other conditions. The diagnostic process involves several different tests aimed at differentiating sarcoidosis from other similar diseases and identifying the presence of granulomas.

The following is a list of some of the tests used for sarcoidosis diagnosis:

Chest X-ray

This method is commonly used , since the great majority of sarcoidosis sufferers have lung involvement. The chest X-ray can display evidence of granulomas or enlarged lymph glands. A system of classification stages is used, with stage 1 being clear lungs and stage 4 evidence of lung scar tissue.

Blood Tests

These are used for identifying specific blood cell types and the levels of protein.

Bronchoscopy

This involves inspection of the lung tissue via a fibreoptic tube inserted into the lung.

Lung Biopsy

Pulmonary Function Test

CT Scan

This is similar to an X-ray, but more detailed.

Heart Tests

Eye Tests

The diversity and complexity of the processes involved in sarcoidosis diagnosis is evidence enough of the lack of knowledge and understanding of the disease itself, with slow progress being made.

However, some encouraging progress has been made in the natural, alternative treatment field, in the form of the Aden Protocol.

Click Here For A Natural Sarcoidosis Alternative Treatment

What Is Granuloma

The word "granuloma" originates from the Latin word "granum," meaning "grain" or "seed." Granulomas  appear as small lumps with a distinctive cellular make-up that can be observed by using a microscope. They can develop on almost any internal or external body part. There are numerous diverse granulomatous diseases, including Crohn's disease, tuberculosis and sarcoidosis.

The cells that form a granuloma come from the immune system, which is the body's defence against disease and illness. Its key component parts are macrophages and leukocytes, cells that originate in the bone marrow and pass along the lymphatic vessels to various parts of the body.

Macrophages are cells that attack alien germs and bacteria by surrounding and engulfing them. Macrophages exude various biochemicals that influence the action of the surrounding cells. For example, cytokines are one type of biochemical that may be secreted, which causes inflammation, the reason behind an infected area becoming inflamed.

Lymphocytes are smaller immune cells that lay dormant until triggered by meeting a foreign body, an antigen, and then begin to secrete antibodies to fight the invader. The most common types of lymphocytes are T cells and B cells, and the antibodies they produce are called immunoglobulins. When foreign bodies such as bacteria, viruses, and toxins resist the action of macrophages, the resisting particles are attacked by the macrophages, leading to the formation of a granuloma, a cluster of a variety of cells forming a distinct nodule.

Sarcoidosis is a disease of unknown origin that is distinguishable by the formation of granulomas in various organs. It is the development of these granulomas and the ensuing tissue damage that cause sarcoidosis symptoms. However, in a lot of instances , granulomas do not form in key areas of the body or appear in such significant numbers that they lead to symptoms. The manifestation of the disease can differ greatly between sufferers. Some patients experience a short lived, mild attack, whereas in others the disease becomes chronic and incapacitating.

Typical sarcoidosis treatment is the prescribing of corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory drugs, but prolonged use can lead to unwanted and potentially dangerous side-effects. However, an all natural sarcoidosis alternative treatment is an option that is available.

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Sarcoidosis Stages

In order to make a proper diagnosis of sarcoidosis, medical professionals will begin by taking note of any medical history, in particular any previous family history of sarcoidosis, and what professions were followed that may have increased the chances of developing sarcoidosis. A physical examination and several diagnostic tests will also be used in the assessment.

There is not one specific test for making a diagnosis of sarcoidosis, and a variety of tests will be used depending in which part of the body is being examined. Included in these tests is the chest x-ray

In a chest x-ray, an image of the heart and lungs is taken, which may indicate granulomas or enlarged lymph nodes in the chest. It is estimated that 95% of sarcoidosis sufferers have an abnormal chest x-ray, so it is a good indicator when trying to detect sarcoidosis.

A staging system for chest x-rays is the typical method used for sarcoidosis diagnosis.

Sarcoidosis Stages

• Stage 0- normal chest x-ray
• Stage 1- indicated by enlarged lymph nodes, but clear lungs
• Stage 2 - enlarged lymph nodes and shadows on the lungs
• Stage 3 - shadows on the lungs, but no enlargement of the lymph nodes
• Stage 4 – scars present in the lung tissue

Sarcoidosis Stages

 
Generally speaking, the higher the indicated stage, the worse the symptoms and lung functionality, but this is not the case for everyone. Some people may not show any symptoms or need any form of treatment, and some may actually improve to the extent that further chest x-rays will be normal.

Click here to see how to treat sarcoidosis lungs naturally

 

Sarcoidosis Treatment - Advice From Leading GP

Dr Martin Scurr has been treating patients for more than 30 years and is a leading GP in the UK. The following is an extract from his Daily Mail column, in which he gives an informative answer to a particular question about sarcoidosis and treatment.

Question: My sister is 79 and has been diagnosed with sarcoidosis, which she has been told is incurable with no treatment. In the past five years she has had operations to remove a lump on her neck, and two lumps behind her knees. She has lost a lot of weight and still has problems walking any distance. Can you tell me anything about the condition?


Mrs B. R. Timson Basildon, Essex.

Answer: Sarcoidosis is a disease that can affect any organ in the body, and is characterised by the formation of tiny patches of inflammation — known as granulomas — in the organs. These are thought to be the result of the immune system malfunctioning and attacking the body’s own tissues, and are identified by doctors when one of the swellings, such as the lump your sister had in her neck, is taken for examination.


The condition has a wide spectrum of severity. Many cases go unnoticed and are only discovered by chance when a chest X-ray is obtained for some other reason — the lung is the most common part of the body to be involved.

Despite much research, no cause for the disease has ever been found.

Most patients who have this disorder, which affects about one in 10,000, have a mild form of the disease, with little in the way of symptoms, and requiring no treatment. In many of those cases the condition abates after a year or two.

But in others the patches of inflammation become widespread in the body, and may be found in the eyes, joints, skin, liver and spleen.

This causes symptoms such as a cough, breathlessness, fatigue, and weight loss, and treatment to suppress the damaging inflammation becomes necessary.

The standard approach is to prescribe steroids in the form of tablets of prednisolone, but it must be stressed that the decision to start treatment must be taken by a specialist, as the side effects of the medicine must be weighed against the symptoms and damage caused by the disease.

The side effects of steroids include weight gain, indigestion, muscle weakness and osteoporosis, which is why a long period of watchful waiting before making the decision to start treatment may be necessary.

The length of therapy is variable but will be at least three to six months, and relapses may occur when the steroid tablets are gradually tapered off.

Further, for patients who have unacceptable side effects, or those who have evidence of the condition becoming worse despite the steroids, the addition of pills to reduce the inflammation may be helpful.

Generally these are drugs that suppress the immune system such as azathioprine.

The most important advice for your sister is she should be monitored periodically on a specialised unit so that her progress, and hopefully her remission, is identified — as well as any complications observed and treated accordingly

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