Sarcoidosis Education & Outreach - Houston, TX
This website is dedicated to the memory of Foyia Janine Carroll-Grant, daughter, sister, and mother. She died from complications of Sarcoidosis: Pulmonary Hypertension.
Sarcoidosis (sar-'koi-do'-sis) is a multi system disorder of an unknown origin that predominantly affects the lung and intrathoracic lymph nodes. Sarcoidosis involves inflammation that produces tiny lumps of cells in various organs in your body. The lumps are called granulomas (gran'-u-lo'mahs) ñ cells that clump together. In affected organs and sarcoidosis lesions, these tiny granulomas grow and clump together making many large and small groups of lumps. When granulomas form in an organ, they affect how the organ works.
The cause is unknown, however, research believe genetic and environmental factors seem to play a role. At this time it is not known to be contagious, nor is it a Cancer. Sarcoidosis in many individuals is chronic, waxing, and waning over many years. It is a total body disease. It attacks the lungs, heart, skin, liver, eyes, brain, spleen, kidneys, nervous system, and so on. Sarcoidosis is a baffling, debilitating, and often fatal disease.
Sarcoidosis affects people of all ages, and races worldwide. It mostly occurs in adults between the ages of 20 and 40, although there are cases of children as young as four months, and adults as old as 60.
There is no cure, but most cases are treated with Prednisone. (a cortiscosteroid), Side affects include weight gain, mood swings, swelling, high blood pressure, depression, cataracts, infection and diabetes. Most sufferers have gone on some form of disability due to the disease. There are other drugs used, per case study, such as Plaquenil, previously used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Methotrexate has received significant attention as either a corticosteroid alternative or a corticosteroid-sparing agent. Marshal Protocol is an alternative treatment with a regiment of anti-biotics.
A number of support groups exist to help people cope with Sarcoidosis. Support Groups are not for everyone, but they are a good source for information, encouragement and understanding. Sharing my daughter's story, and support from Brenda Harris' support group was very comforting for me. Please join us as we promote Sarcoidosis Awareness and Education for all. It is time to get the word out!
Emma Carroll, Mother
Non Profit (501 C3 Tax Exempt) Charitable Organization