Some physicians believe sarcoidosis results from inhalation of an infectious or allergic substance from the environment. Others believe that the disease is a basic problem in alteration of the cellular immune system. Ninety percent of the cases of sarcoidosis are found in the lungs. This actually distorts the structure of the lungs and can interfere with breathing. In a majority of patients, the disease spontaneously disappears, and no treatment is necessary.
Drugs called corticosteroids are the most common treatment used in fighting sarcoidosis.
Some physicians prescribe steroids when there are no symptoms but just abnormalities seen on the chest x-ray and in lung function measurements. Other physicians wait for symptoms to appear before prescribing corticosteroids. Steroids are almost always used when sarcoidosis affects internal organs other than the lungs. The sarcoidosis patient should follow his or her doctor's directions. This frequently can be just continuation of a normal lifestyle.