Often referred to as a “mystery disease” because both the cause and cure is unknown, the
multi-organ disease almost always involves more than one organ. An organ is affected when granulomas (masses of inflamed tissue, or lumps) form and cause an abnormality.
Many sarcoidosis patients do not have any symptoms. Some have only one symptom, while still others have several. General symptoms caused by the disease include fever, tiredness or fatigue, weight loss, night sweats and an overall feeling of ill health. Other symptoms typically depend on which organs the disease affects.
“This disease is often misdiagnosed by doctors because we don’t know enough about what causes it or how to detect it,” said Keith Lawton, group spokesperson. “It’s a disease that seems to have been diagnosed by process of elimination, which can mean years of tests, stress, pain, and depression for patients.”
According to Lawton, the group hopes to bring awareness to the disease so that a cure will someday be found.
TSSG will hold its first meeting on Saturday, October 3, 2009, from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at First Church of Christ, 911 Barringer Dr., Raleigh. Refreshments will be served.
For more information on TSSG or the upcoming meeting, go to http://sarcoidosis.meetup.com/
About Triangle Sarcoidosis Support Group
The mission of the Triangle Sarcoidosis Support Group is to provide support and education for patients with Sarcoidosis, their families and caregivers and to raise awareness of the disease and its effects through meetings, media activities and fundraising events.
Media Contact:
Laura Salazar Lawton
PreludePR
(408) 505-5820
laura@preludepr.com
