Other believe that the disease is a basic problem in alteration of the cellular immune system. However, the Sarcodosis Service of the MSMC is one of 10 NIH supported Centers in the U.S. seeking the cause of sarcodosis. Ninety percent of the cases of sarcoidosis are found in the lungs. This distorts the structure of the lungs and can interfere with breathing, bronchiectasis may develop. This is a lung disease in which pockets form in the air tubes of the lung and become sites for infection.
Drugs called corticosteroids are the most important treatment used in fighting sarcoidosis.
Some physicians prescribe steroids when there are no symptoms but just abnormalities seen on the chest x-ray or in lung function measurements. Other physicians wait for symptoms to appear before prescribing corticosteroids. The sarcoidosis patient should follow his or her doctor's directions. This usually be just continuation of a normal lifestyle, When drugs are prescribed, they should be taken faithfully, just as the physician directs. It is particularly important that sarcoidosis patients do not smoke.