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Dr. Ronald P. Rogers CHIROPRACTOR Support for your body's natural healing capabilities 270-384-5554 Click here for details 
  
Columbia Gas Dept. GAS LEAK or GAS SMELL Contact Numbers 24 hrs/ 365 days 270-384-2006 or 9-1-1 Call before you dig 
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Dr. Grubbs writes of once rare disease, sarcoidosis, from personal experience National Sarcoidosis Awareness Week is February 5 - 11Disease is at home in Kentucky; Ohio River Valley is "belt of Sarcoidosis" By Morris A. Grubbs, Ph.D. Contributing Writer Columbia, KY--Most Americans are aware of common autoimmune diseases such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. But fewer know about sarcoidosis, which can affect multiple organs, most often the lungs but also the liver, heart, skin, nervous system, and eyes. In recent years the disease has found some familiar faces in the celebrity world, including actor Bernie Mac, model/actress Karen Duffy, football great Reggie White (who died from sarcoidosis complications in 2004), and basketball legend Bill Russell. Sarcoidosis, once consider rare, is now more common Once considered a rare disease, sarcoidosis is now more common, or at least more frequently diagnosed, worldwide and at home in Kentucky. The Ohio River Valley, according to one Louisville pulmonologist, is "a belt of sarcoidosis." For many patients, the disease is mild and often goes into remission on its own. For others, it is severe and debilitating, often requiring ongoing drug therapy, most commonly with moderate to high doses, daily or every other day, of the corticosteroid prednisone. Diagnosed with sarcoidosis in 2002 My own awareness of sarcoidosis began in the autumn of 2002, when I was diagnosed with it after experiencing several months of severe heart palpitations, fatigue, and shortness of breath. When my symptoms worsened, my local physician and cardiologist referred me to a pulmonologist, who confirmed sarcoidosis via a lung biopsy. To date, the cause of the disease remains unknown. Researchers speculate that it may be triggered by an abnormal immune system response to a range of agents in the environment. The disease, which attacks mostly adults between the ages of 20 and 40, is characterized by an overactive immune system, often resulting in granulomas, or inflamed cells, occurring and usually remaining in the tissues of affected organs. Author has responed well to therapy In my own case, I have responded well to ongoing prednisone therapy. And so far my major symptoms have abated. Other patients have not been so lucky. Last spring I attended a meeting of a sarcoidosis support group in Louisville, where I met dozens of people far more severely affected by the various forms of the disease. Their stories and others I have come to know are the true reason for this article. Your physician can tell you more about sarcoidosis. You may also contact the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research in Chicago (773-525-2510) or go to its website at www.stopsarcoidosis.org. There you will find a list of fundraising events to be held February 5-11 in several cities during the fifth annual National Sarcoidosis Awareness Week. Direct comments are not available. However comments, subject to editing, are welcome by sending to: ed@columbiamagazine.com or linda@columbiamagazine.com. or through Submit a Story. This story was posted on 2006-01-30 05:52:16
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