Sarcoidosis of the lung: stages, symptoms, treatment Sarcoidosis is a disease that is associated with damage to organs and systems. It leads to the formation of granulomas in the affected tissues. This disease affects the lungs, liver, lymph nodes, spleen.


The most common sarcoidosis of the respiratory system is with lung infection. The disease is characteristic of young and middle-aged people, especially often appears in the female sex.

Stages of the disease

Doctors subdivide three stages in the disease:

  • І - enlarged hilar lymph nodes;
  • ІІ - during the X-ray examination of the patient, the screening of the lungs is detected, and the foci of different sizes are visible in the lower and middle sections;
  • ІІІ - in the lungs there are large formations that often merge, and fibrosis.

In the first two stages of the complaint are mostly absent, and the disease is detected only with X-ray examination. But there are also cases when the temperature rises, the joints of the extremities swell up, the lymph nodes increase.

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Causes and mechanism of development of

To date, the causes of the development of this disease are not yet known. But they are often associated with stress, prolonged chronic illnesses, hypothermia, etc., that is, what causes a weakening of human immunity.

Some scientists believe that the development of the disease depends on the effects on the human body of exogenous or endogenous factors. The first type includes bacteria, chemicals, viruses and dust. The second is an autoimmune reaction to the processes.

Thus, the disease of sarcoidosis is associated with impaired immunity, morphology, biochemistry in the human body and with genetic aspects. This disease is not transmitted to the healthy.

There is a tendency of disease among workers in the agricultural sector, chemical, health, postal workers, millers, firefighters, mechanics and seamen.

The onset of sarcoidosis is associated with alveolar tissue damage, then leads to the development of alveolitis or pneumonitis. Then granulomas are formed in the subpleural and peribronchial tissues. The subsequent process is either the disintegration of the formations, or the transformation of them into a cell-free mass. If there is a progression of the disease, then the ventilation function of the lungs is violated.

Symptoms of sarcoidosis of the lungs

Symptoms of pulmonary sarcoidosis include:

  • malaise;
  • concern;
  • weakness;
  • fatigue;
  • loss of appetite;
  • weight loss;
  • febrile development;
  • increased night sweats;
  • sleep disturbance;
  • tenderness in the chest;
  • wet or dry wheezes;
  • temperature increase;
  • cough;
  • shortness of breath;
  • joint pain, etc.

In some patients, sarcoidosis of the lung passes in asymptomatic form, and the other half has all the symptoms.

Diagnosis of the disease

In acute form of lung sarcoidosis, laboratory blood tests have significant changes. This is characterized by the fact that the inflammatory process has begun.

Changes in the lungs are also detected with radiography, CT or MRI.This survey determines the size and shape of the affected lymph nodes.

Bronchoscopy and biopsy show signs of disease. To them carry: expansion of vessels in bronchuses, lymphonoduses, a bronchitis, lesions mucous.

Histological examination of the patient is the most informative way of diagnosis. It is obtained due to bronchoscopy, mediastinoscopy, pre-stained biopsy, transthoral puncture, lung biopsy.

Treatment of pulmonary sarcoidosis

Immediate treatment is performed with severe, progressive forms of the disease. Combined and generalized types, obvious dissemination in pulmonary tissues, are also operative.

Treatment consists in the appointment of long courses of drugs, which include steroid, anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressants, antioxidants.

Therapy starts with prednisone( a steroid) with a certain dosage. If the patient has a poor tolerance of the drug, then glucocorticoids are used according to the necessary scheme.

There is also a protein diet, which is to limit the intake of salt, cough and anabolic steroids.

Used to treat sarcoidosis of the lungs and a combined regimen consisting of prednisolone, polcortolone or dexamethasone with a certain alternation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory therapy, indomethacin or voltaren is used.

The phthisiatrician is obliged to conduct medical examination of patients with regular monitoring.

Patients in two groups:

  1. patients in whom the disease has an active form: primary disease or relapse with exacerbation
  2. inactive form of the disease.

People who became ill with sarcoidosis are on dispensary records, the duration of which depends on the forms of development. With a favorable course, it is 2 years, and in severe cases 3-5 years.

Prognosis of the disease

In general, the course of the disease is benign.

In one part of the diseased sarcoidosis proceeds without clinical manifestations, and in the second part it passes into spontaneous remission.

Chronic form occurs in a third of patients. A dangerous consequence of sarcoidosis is blindness, respiratory failure, and sometimes even death occurs.

It should be remembered that the treatment of sarcoidosis is a very complex and time-consuming process, as it depends on the stage of the disease development, the place of injury, and the sensitivity of the patient to the drugs used.

Prevention of sarcoidosis of the lungs

The absence of preventive measures of the disease is justified by the uncertainty of the reasons for its appearance.

Non-specific prevention includes minimizing the negative impact on the human body, which works in "harmful" enterprises.

Smoking should be avoided, avoid contact with chemicals.

During illness it is necessary to refuse the use of dairy products and from beach rest, in order to reduce the intake of calcium into the body, because sarcoidosis can lead to the formation of stones in the bladder.

Folk remedies for sarcoidosis of lungs

People's treatment of a disease should be started only after a thorough examination in a medical institution.

The most effective folk methods include:

  • application of the beaver gland: infusion is applied as drops three times before lunch. You can use bearish and badger fat for greater effect;
  • prescription of herbs: nettle nettle, St. John's wort, mint transverse, chamomile, calendula, plantain, celandine, coltsfoot, birdwalker, goose eye patch, string. Everything is mixed and brewed. Then it becomes infusion;
  • herbal infusion: birdwort, bird, oregano, sage, althea root, marigold flower, plantain. A decoction of these ingredients is made. This course lasts 5 days and is repeated after three weeks.

At addition it is recommended to take and infusions from pink radiola and ginseng twice a day for 20-25 drops. And first of all it is necessary to maintain immunity. For this you can consume beans, pomegranates, sea buckthorn, sea cabbage, nuts, currants, especially black, basil, etc.