Lung sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease which is characterized by the buildup of T-lymphocytes and phagocytes in the affected organs and the disappearance of normal structure of the tissue. The cause of this disease is still unknown although the first lung sarcoidosis diagnosis occurred about one century ago.
Today, this disease is very common especially among young people between the age of 20 and 40. Sometimes the disease can start rapidly while in other cases the development is slow and gradual.
Lung Sarcoidosis Symptoms
The most common form of lung sarcoidosis is acute lung sarcoidosis.
In the beginning, the patient can notice swelling, pain and redness around the joints accompanied by painful nodules all over the skin especially on the shins. In a situation like this it is almost impossible to continue your everyday life without visiting the doctor’s office.
When the doctors perform x-ray on the lungs they usually notice enlarged lymph nodes in the chest which together with the aforementioned lung sarcoidosis symptoms suggests the presence of this disease.
It is good to mention that the disease often starts without any symptoms, only with enlarged lymph nodes, but this is something that can be discovered by accident or after taking x-ray because of permanent cough. In very rare cases lung sarcoidosis symptoms are related to other organs.
Lung Sarcoidosis Diagnosis
When it comes to lung sarcoidosis diagnosis, it is worth mentioning that the process involves series of procedures including lab diagnostics focused on determining ACE levels and the level of calcium in urine and serum, CT scans of the chest accompanied with high resolution computer tomography, determining the capacity of lung diffusion and bronchoscopy.
Most doctors examine eye pressure and perform cardio diagnostics and ultrasound on the upper abdominal area. In addition, lung sarcoidosis diagnosis is confirmed with biopsy of the affected skin, lymph nodes, lung parenchyma and other internal organs.
Lung Sarcoidosis Stages
Lung sarcoidosis stages can easily be determined by looking at the chest x-ray results. Stage I of this disease is manifested only with enlarged lymph nodes. In addition to enlarged lymph nodes, Stage II patients experience inflammation in the tissue located in the lung. Stage III is characterized with fibrosis while Stage IV patients experience advanced fibrosis and severe lung destruction.
Lung Sarcoidosis Treatments
Lung sarcoidosis treatments depend on the stage of the disease. However, doctors usually recommend treatment with drugs usually corticosteroids. The dosage changes depending on the stage of the disease and the weight of the patient.
However, these drugs often become a source of many problems. Corticosteroids are very strong drugs and although they can help in cases of lung sarcoidosis, their continuous use over a long period of time can lead to many other health issues. That’s why many experts recommend the use of natural remedies for lung sarcoidosis. These are some of the natural remedies that have helped patients diagnosed with this disease.
Herbal Remedies
Herbs can be quite useful in cases of lung sarcoidosis. There are many herbs that come with strong anti-inflammatory properties and they can ease the pain, swelling and inflammation caused by this dangerous disease. Chamomile, ginger and garlic are some of the best herbs used for this purpose. There are certain herbs that can improve the muscle mass and blood circulation and they can help lung sarcoidosis sufferers too.
Supplements
Supplements based on omega 3 fatty acid have proven to be helpful for lung sarcoidosis patients. This acid supports the work of brain, heart and eyes. It comes with powerful antioxidant properties and successfully fights lung sarcoidosis. In addition, it has excellent anti-inflammatory capabilities too.
Practicing Natural, Healthy Diet
If you introduce some changes in the diet, you can expect to see positive results very fast. For instance, taking fresh veggies and fruits on a regular basis can do wonders for the immune system and reduce the symptoms of lung sarcoidosis. If you continue practicing a diet full of processed foods the situation will probably get worse. You should also stop smoking and drinking alcohol.
Alternative Solutions
There are some practices that can bring positive effects in lung sarcoidosis patients. People who are involved in yoga, acupuncture and some other alternative therapies like color therapy has confirmed that these activities have eased the symptoms of lung sarcoidosis.
