Sarcoidosis Directory
Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that affects multiple organs in the body, but mostly the lungs and lymph glands. In people with sarcoidosis, abnormal masses or nodules (called granulomas) consisting of inflamed tissues form in certain organs. These granulomas may alter the structure and function of the affected organ(s). The symptoms of sarcoidosis can vary greatly, depending on which organs are involved. Most patients initially complain of a persistent dry cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath. The exact cause of sarcoidosis is not known. The disease is associated with an abnormal immune response, but what triggers this response is uncertain. There is no cure for sarcoidosis, but the disease may get better on its own over time. Follow the links below to find WebMD's comprehensive coverage about how sarcoidosis is contracted, what it looks like, how to treat it, and much more.
Medical Reference
The Basics of Sarcoidosis
Learn more from WebMD about sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disease that affects multiple organs, but primarily the lungs.
Sarcoidosis: Symptoms, Stages, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that affects multiple organs in the body, but mostly the lungs and lymph glands. Get the facts about sarcoidosis from WebMD.
Symptoms of Sarcoidosis
WebMD's guide to the symptoms of sarcoidosis.
Understanding Sarcoidosis -- Diagnosis and Treatment
WebMD's guide to the diagnosis and treatment of sarcoidosis.
Slideshows & Images
The Lungs (Human Anatomy): Picture, Function, Definition, Conditions
WebMD's Lungs Anatomy Page provides a detailed image and definition of the lungs. Learn about lung function, problems, location in the body, and more.
Picture of Erythema Nodosum
Erythema nodosum. Red, tender, subcutaneous nodules on the extensor aspects of the legs between knees and ankles are a common condition of many causes, some clear, some likely, and many obscure. The most important conditions that are heralded or attended by erythema nodosum are such infections as streptococcal upper-respiratory infections, ulcerative colitis, histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, tuberculosis, syphilis, and leprosy. Another condition that is sometimes revealed by investigation of erythema nodosum is sarcoidosis. Drugs, including oral contraceptives, appear to be the cause of particular cases of erythema nodosum. In many cases, however, no clear cause can be found.