Sarcoidosis

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Questions to Ask Your Pulmonary Care Team
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Follow-up

See your doctor regularly
It is important to monitor even mild cases of sarcoidosis, as the disease can progress to a life-threatening state.

Patients with sarcoidosis should visit the doctor regularly and undergo periodic chest x-rays and pulmonary function tests to monitor the progression of the disease and evaluate the need for corticosteroid or other treatment.

If patients are taking corticosteroids, it is essential to visit the doctor regularly to make sure that the drugs are not causing problems. The side effects of corticosteroids vary and include weight gain, high blood pressure, stomach pain, ulcers, and acne.

Healthy living
As with any illness, the better you take care of your body, the more likely and more quickly it will recover. With sarcoidosis, pay special attention to the lungs. Do not smoke. Try to avoid exposure to substances in the air that can irritate the lungs such as dust, pollen, and chemicals.

If you are pregnant
If you have sarcoidosis and would like to get pregnant, it is a good idea to discuss the situation with your doctor. Women with sarcoidosis give birth to normal, healthy babies, even while being treated, but it is important to monitor your health regularly before and during pregnancy. Sometimes extra care needs to be taken.

Support and information
If you would like more detailed information on sarcoidosis, including current research and clinical studies, a good source is NIH's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Local chapters of the American Lung Association provide support services for patients with sarcoidosis.

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