Causes And Risk Factors For Sarcoidosis

Potential Triggers

Research indicates external environmental factors are potential triggers for sarcoidosis. A healthy body is meant to flush out and fight intruding material like chemicals, dust, viruses, and bacteria. However, in individuals with sarcoidosis, the immune system severely overreacts. Immune cells begin to clump together, forming an inflammation pattern referred to as a granuloma. Granulomas then build up in organs throughout the body, affecting the function of the organ. Sometimes, this can cause severe impairment.

In the majority of individuals, sarcoidosis will alleviate by itself and have no lasting consequences. Half of all cases resolve without even needing treatment, but there are potential long-term consequences to the disease. Pulmonary sarcoidosis might cause permanent scarring in the lungs, and eye inflammation can lead to blindness or vision loss. If sarcoidosis affects the body's ability to handle calcium, it is possible to go into kidney failure. Granulomas located in the heart can cause cardiovascular issues, and in very rare cases, granulomas in the brain can impair the central nervous system.