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From: dyer@spdcc.UUCP (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Sarcoidosis -- info reqestuested
Message-ID: <460@spdcc.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 9-Nov-86 16:22:23 EST
Article-I.D.: spdcc.460
Posted: Sun Nov  9 16:22:23 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 9-Nov-86 21:01:27 EST
References: <1217@ihwpt.UUCP>
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Organization: S.P. Dyer Computer Consulting, Cambridge MA
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In article <1217@ihwpt.UUCP>, knudsen@ihwpt.UUCP (mike knudsen) writes:
> After months of coughing up phlegm, my mother was diagnosed
> as having sarcoidosis, an inflammation of tissues around
> the trachea, or thereabouts.
> Can anybody give me an explanation for this condition?
> What sort of prognosis to expect?  Is it hereditary?

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease caused by the accumulation of helper
T-cells and mononuclear phagocytes at a variety of organ systems, but the
lungs are often the focus of measurable clinical impairment.  Its
etiology is unknown.  I don't believe it's hereditary, although its incidence
is much higher in certain groups than others: in America, blacks outnumber
whites with the disease by a ratio of roughly 10/1.  This ratio isn't
maintained elsewhere, however, so it's hard to come to any conclusions.

Treatment is conservative, depending on the severity of symptoms.
The disease usually is self-limiting in about 50% of patients, though
it can also be chronic or recurring.  The prognosis is generally good, with
either uneventful recovery or mild clinical impairment which can be
managed.  Your mileage may very, however.  Corticosteroids are used,
if necessary, although if used injudiciously, their side-effects can be
much worse than the underlying disease.
-- 
Steve Dyer
dyer@harvard.HARVARD.EDU
{linus,wanginst,bbnccv,harvard,ima,ihnp4}!spdcc!dyer