Sarcoidosis is a condition that occurs when the immune system starts to overreact. This causes the growth of tiny collections of inflammatory cells, mostly white blood cells called granulomas in any part of the body. This most commonly occurs in the lungs and lymph nodes. The symptoms of sarcoidosis can be mild to severe or not at all.
What are the Treatments for Sarcoidosis Disease?
There is no specific cure or treatment for sarcoidosis. In many cases, symptoms related to the disease can go away on their own. You do not even need sarcoidosis treatment if you have mild to no symptoms. The activity of the immune system determines the severity and extent of your condition. Certain sarcoidosis therapies are there to suppress the activity of the immune system. These include:
Medications
You may need medicine if you have severe symptoms or organ dysfunctions. The medicines that can be used to treat sarcoidosis are:
- Corticosteroids: These are anti-inflammatory drugs that are used as the first-line treatment for sarcoidosis
- Medications that suppress the immune system: These include methotrexate and azathioprine
- Such medicines are helpful to treat skin lesions and elevated blood calcium levels in the body.
- Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitors. The TNF-Alpha inhibitors are used to treat the inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Other sarcoidosis disease treatments aimed to reduce specific symptoms are:
- Problems related to arthritis: Physical therapy can be taken to reduce fatigue and improve the muscle strength of your body.
- Respiratory or heart-related symptoms: Taking pulmonary rehabilitation or using a cardiac pacemaker for heart arrhythmias can help to treat severe organ dysfunctions.
Conclusion
Sarcoidosis is a rare immune system-related condition that can resolve on its own or with treatment. Chronic condition requires treatment. It is advisable to seek medical help where doctors check for complications and determine the effectiveness of treatment based on your condition. Most cases of sarcoidosis do not require treatment but a severe case of organ damage requires an organ transplant. Such patients need proper follow-up care throughout their lives. Health insurance can provide essential support for managing long-term care and treatment expenses.