Sarcoidosis is a disease that may affect any organ or system in the body. People with sarcoidosis have inflammation (swelling) in certain parts of the body. They may have no symptoms at all or they may have serious problems with many different parts of the body. The cause of this inflammation is unknown.

Sarcoidosis is most common in adults between 20 and 40 years of age. It's more common in women than in men. Sarcoidosis is not contagious. This means you can't catch sarcoidosis from another person who has the disease.
What are the symptoms of sarcoidosis?
The symptoms of sarcoidosis vary, depending on which part of the body is affected. Symptoms can involve several parts of the body, or only one. Although almost any area of the body can be affected, most people have few, if any, symptoms. Less than half of people who have sarcoidosis need any treatment.

The most common symptoms involve the lungs, skin, eyes and liver.
Lungs
The lungs are affected in about 88% of people who have sarcoidosis. People who have sarcoidosis may have a cough or chest pain. Some people have breathing problems, but most people have few or no breathing problems.

Other Organs Involved

Skin, Eyes, Liver, Nervous system, Heart, Bones, Kidneys
How is sarcoidosis diagnosed?
To find out if you have sarcoidosis, we will perform a physical exam and take an x-ray and a biopsy (a tissue sample) from 1 or more areas of your body. We will rule out other diseases that can cause similar symptoms.

We may also order a blood test to determine the level of a certain chemical (called angiotensin-converting enzyme) in your blood. Knowing your level of angiotensin-converting enzyme can help your doctor follow the course of your disease and check your response to treatment. We will probably do other blood tests and take other x-rays to see what areas of your body are affected. A test of your breathing may be performed, as well as an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check how well your heart works.