Sarcoidosis [1] (Benier-Beck-Schaumann disease) is an autoimmune disease of various organs and systems of the body, which is characterized by the formation of granulomas in the affected tissues — inflamed dense nodules. These neoplasms squeeze nearby tissues, causing dystrophic changes in them, and sometimes necrosis. With a long-term course of the disease, there is an overgrowth of fibrous connective tissue.
Sarcoidosis is a rather rare disease and mainly develops in young and middle-aged people. Most often, the disease affects the lungs and lymph nodes (mainly intrathoracic). Less commonly, the skin, eyes, spleen, liver, and bone structures are affected.
Sarcoidosis is divided, depending on the place of its occurrence, into intrathoracic, extra thoracic, and generalized, affecting several organs at once. The disease can be asymptomatic for a long time and can only be detected during an examination. In order to diagnose sarcoidosis in a timely manner, it is recommended to undergo regular preventive examinations and X-rays.
General Symptoms
Given the sluggish nature of the course of sarcoidosis, it can often be detected only with x-ray examination [2], which will show granulomas in the lungs and enlarged lymph nodes. The very first symptoms of the disease are of a general non-specific nature:
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feeling of weakness, fatigue;
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keeping sub-febrile temperature values for several days;
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an increase in the size of peripheral lymph nodes;
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Joint pain.
The listed symptoms are the reason for going to the doctor for a full examination. As the disease develops, the following symptoms are distinguished, depending on the place of its localization.