A Blog by a Utah Sarcioid Fighter!

My reflections and journey day to day.

Monday, April 4, 2011

What is Sarcoidosis?

My name is Liz and I live in Utah. I have sarcoidosis. I am just starting to gather members for a Sarcoidosis Support Group in Utah. Using this blog as a tool, I am going to share my own thoughts about sarcoidosis and what helps me find normalcy when my body is anything but.

Most people don't realize we are sick, unless maybe we are using oxygen or walking with a cane. When people ask you "why" or "what do you have" and you say "sarcoidosis," they usually ask you to repeat yourself. When you do and are asked for an explanation, things can get difficult.

What do you say?

This is the National Institute of Health's ( NIH) definition:

Sarcoidosis (say 'sar-coy-doe-sis') is a disease that can affect any organ or system in the body. People with sarcoidosis develop granulomas (small abnormal clumps of tissue) in certain parts of their body. If you have this disease, you may have no symptoms at all, or you may have serious problems with many different parts of the body. The exact cause of sarcoidosis is unknown.

Sarcoidosis is most common in adults between 20 and 40 years of age. It's more common in women than in men. Worldwide, it occurs more often in African Americans and northern Europeans, especially people from Scandinavia. Sarcoidosis is not contagious. This means you can't catch sarcoidosis from another person who has the disease."

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