Sarcoidosis facts for kids

Sarcoidosis is a condition where tiny clumps of cells, called granulomas, form in different parts of the body. These clumps can cause swelling and affect how organs work. It most often affects the lungs. Scientists don't yet know what causes sarcoidosis.

What is Sarcoidosis?

Sarcoidosis is a type of inflammatory disease. This means it causes parts of your body to become swollen and irritated. The small clumps of cells, called granulomas, can appear in almost any organ. They are like small knots of tissue.

What Parts of the Body Does It Affect?

While sarcoidosis can affect many parts of the body, it most commonly affects the lungs. When it affects the lungs, it can make it harder to breathe. It can also cause a cough.

Sometimes, sarcoidosis can affect the brain. If it does, it is called neurosarcoidosis. This can lead to different symptoms depending on which part of the brain is affected. In some cases, sarcoidosis can cause a problem called pulmonary fibrosis. This makes the lungs scarred and stiff, which can make breathing very difficult.

How Do Doctors Treat It?

Doctors often treat sarcoidosis with medicines called corticosteroids. A common one is prednisone. These medicines help reduce the swelling and irritation in the body. They work by calming down the immune system.

Sometimes, other medicines are used if corticosteroids don't work well enough. For example, a medicine called methotrexate might be used. This medicine also helps to calm the body's immune system. Even some medicines used for malaria have been tried to help treat sarcoidosis.

Images for kids

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  Signs and symptoms of sarcoidosis

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  CT scan of the chest showing lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes) in the mediastinum (the space between the lungs) due to sarcoidosis

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  Sarcoidosis in a lymph node, seen under a microscope

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  A Schaumann body, a type of cell clump found in sarcoidosis

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  An Asteroid body, another type of cell clump found in sarcoidosis

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  Hilar adenopathy (swollen lymph nodes near the lungs) especially on the person's left (AP CXR)

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  Hilar adenopathy especially on the person's left (lateral CXR)

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  Hilar adenopathy especially on the person's left (coronal CT)

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  Hilar adenopathy especially on the person's left (transverse CT)

See also

In Spanish: Sarcoidosis para niños