One of the original Kings of Comedy, Bernie Mac’s life was cut short due to sarcoidosis. Before his death, many didn’t know what the disease was or how it affected the body. Sarcoidosis is a disease caused by small areas of inflammation. It can affect any part of the body but is most common in the lungs—called pulmonary sarcoidosis.
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Sarcoidosis appears as small patches of inflamed cells. It can cause different symptoms depending on where it appears. On the skin, it may look like a scaly rash or red bumps. In the eyes, it can cause soreness. If it affects muscles, it can cause swelling and soreness. In the lungs, it can cause a dry cough, mild chest pain or shortness of breath.
Nobody can predict how sarcoidosis will affect one person verses another. It is not serious in over half the cases. The disease appears briefly and heals naturally, without treatment. Some people don’t even realize they have sarcoidosis. However, another 20-30 percent of people with pulmonary sarcoidosis end up with permanent lung damage. A small percentage of patients may have chronic sarcoidosis, lasting for many years.
Sarcoidosis Can Affect YOU
Anyone can get sarcoidosis. It is most common among African Americans and northern European whites, especially Scandinavians. In the U.S., African Americans have a much higher percentage of sarcoidosis than whites, and it is usually much more serious in African Americans. Comedian Bernie Mac was one who died of the disease and actress Tisha Campbell-Martin is affected by sarcoidosis.
Sarcoidosis usually affects young adults—people between 20 and 40, but it can affect people older than 60. It is somewhat more common among women than men.
Sarcoidosis Affects On the Body
Sarcoidosis can attack any part of the body—inside or out. It appears as small patches of inflamed cells. Sarcoidosis usually goes away on its own, disappearing without the patient or doctor necessarily noticing it.
When sarcoidosis appears in the lungs it is called “pulmonary sarcoidosis”. In pulmonary sarcoidosis, small patches of inflamed cells can appear on the lungs’ small air sacs (alveoli), breathing tubes (bronchioles) or lymph nodes. The lungs can become stiff and may not be able to hold as much air as healthy lungs. In serious cases of pulmonary sarcoidosis, it can lead to an abnormal formation of scar tissue in the lung, called pulmonary fibrosis. The scar tissue warps the structure of the lung, which can make breathing difficult. It also affects the lungs’ ability to move oxygen into the bloodstream.
Ninety percent of cases affect the lungs. Other common sites include:
- Skin
- Liver
- Lymph glands
- Spleen
- Eyes
- Nervous system, including the brain
- Muscles and bones (musculoskeletal system)
- Heart
- Kidneys
Sarcoidosis Causes
Nobody yet knows what causes sarcoidosis. Most scientists believe it is a disease of the immune system, where the body’s natural defense system does not function properly. Some believe that sarcoidosis might be the result of a respiratory infection caused by a virus. Others blame toxins or allergens in the environment.
Researchers are studying sarcoidosis to understand its cause and many other questions related to the disease.