From the Guidelines
During a sarcoidosis flare, patients typically experience a worsening of symptoms that may include persistent dry cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, and fever. These symptoms can vary widely depending on which organs are affected, with pulmonary involvement being most common 1. Some patients may also experience joint pain and swelling, skin rashes (particularly erythema nodosum), eye inflammation, and enlarged lymph nodes 1. Additionally, some patients report unexplained weight loss, night sweats, and muscle weakness, while others may experience neurological symptoms like headaches, facial paralysis, or seizures if the nervous system is affected 1. Cardiac sarcoidosis may cause palpitations or irregular heartbeats, and these flares occur because of increased inflammatory activity, with granulomas (collections of inflammatory cells) forming in affected tissues and disrupting normal organ function 1. Key symptoms to look out for during a flare include:
- Persistent dry cough
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Joint pain and swelling
- Skin rashes
- Eye inflammation
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Unexplained weight loss
- Night sweats
- Muscle weakness
- Neurological symptoms like headaches, facial paralysis, or seizures
- Palpitations or irregular heartbeats due to cardiac sarcoidosis. Patients experiencing a flare should contact their healthcare provider promptly, as treatment adjustments may be needed, typically involving corticosteroids like prednisone to reduce inflammation, and monitoring organ function through regular testing is essential during flares to prevent long-term damage 1.
From the Research
Sarcoidosis Flare Symptoms
The symptoms that occur during a sarcoidosis flare can vary depending on the organs involved. Some common symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Eye pain
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
- Chest pain 2
Organ-Specific Symptoms
Sarcoidosis can affect various organs, leading to a range of symptoms, such as:
- Joint symptoms (e.g., arthritis)
- Skin symptoms (e.g., rashes)
- Lung symptoms (e.g., coughing, wheezing)
- Eye symptoms (e.g., uveitis, conjunctivitis) 3, 2
Treatment-Related Symptoms
In some cases, symptoms may be related to treatment, rather than the disease itself. For example: