Sarcoidosis Symptoms - Pt. 2

Musculoskeletal System & Other Affected Areas

Musculoskeletal System - Sarcoidosis Symptoms

Sarcoidosis in the bones

Sarcoidosis can cause painless holes in bones.

Bone marrow can also be affected by sarcoidosis causing anemia - a condition in which there are too few red blood cells or a lowered number of white blood cells.

Sarcoidosis in the joints

If a person affected by sarcoidosis has erythema nodosum skin lesions, they may develop arthritis in the ankles. This form of arthritis is usually short-term clearing up after several weeks.

Granulomatous arthritis is a chronic but rare form of arthritis which can also arise through sarcoidosis. Granulomatous arthritis requires treatment and can last for months or years.

Sarcoidosis in the muscles

Sarcoidosis can cause painless swelling which often affects the fingers.

Nervous System

Sarcoidosis in the brain

The nervous system is the integrated system of nerve tissue in the body. This includes the brain spinal cord and all the body's nerves. Sarcoidosis can affect the nervous system causing a mass of granulomas in brain or meninges (membranes which cover the brain).

A mass of granulomas in the brain can lead to the following symptoms:

• headaches
• visual problems
• weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
• coma - a rare occurrence

Sarcoidosis in the nerves & spinal cord

Sarcoidosis can affect individual & multiple nerves. When multiple nerves in more than one location are affected the following symptoms can arise:

• weakness
• pain
• a 'stinging needles' sensation in the affected area

The nerves of the face are part of the nervous section often affected by sarcoidosis. It can cause one side of the face to droop - usually a sign that sarcoidosis is present.

Sarcoidosis can also affect the spinal cord which can cause weakness and paralysis of the arms and legs.

Other Systems & Areas - Sarcoidosis Symptoms

Salivary glands

The salivary glands include the parotid gland - the largest of the salivary glands which is located in front and below the ear and behind the jaw bone. Sarcoidosis can affect the parotid gland causing them to swell, making the cheeks enlarged. The mouth and throat can also become dry.

Blood, urinary tract & kidneys

A high blood and urine calcium level can be another symptom of sarcoidosis. Granulomas release an enzyme which produces calcium. High calcium levels can then lead to kidney stones as urine is passed through the kidneys.

Spleen

Sarcoidosis can affect the spleen causing a reduction in the numbers of red or white blood cells or platelets. The spleen may also become enlarged.

Sinuses

Sinuses are air cavities within the facial bones of the skull and can be affected by sarcoidosis. A symptom is sinusitis - inflammation of the sinus cavities.