Sarcoidosis is a rare disease that causes inflammation and scar
tissue throughout the body, especially the lungs, lymph nodes, liver, skin, and
eyes.
The cause of sarcoidosis is not known. It occurs most often in
young and middle-aged adults.
Symptoms may include fever, body aches, swelling of the lymph
glands, breathlessness, a reddish rash on the face, painful joints, and
numbness. However, sometimes sarcoidosis does not cause any symptoms. It may
lead to lung (respiratory) failure and heart problems in some cases.
Sarcoidosis may require long-term treatment (lasting months to
years) with corticosteroids and other medicines, especially if it causes severe
breathing problems or affects the brain and heart.
