Kimberly Garrison: Be aware of symptoms of sarcoidosis

LIKE MOST of you, I was shocked to hear of the unexpected death of actor and stand-up comedian Bernie Mac. According to published reports, the 50-year-old Chicago native died of complications from pneumonia. It was also reported that he suffered from a condition called sarcoidosis.

What, pray tell, is sarcoidosis?

According to the American Lung Association, sarcoidosis is a disease that causes inflammation of body tissues. Characteristically the swelling causes small lumps called granulomas that can develop either inside or outside of the body. The condition can attack any organ, but in 90 percent of the cases the lungs are involved, although the disease can affect the skin, lymph nodes and eyes.

Sarcoidosis is often asymptomatic and researchers have yet to discover the cause. Experts believe a compromised immune system plus either environmental, bacterial, or viral triggers may cause it.

Symptoms may include:

* Dry cough

* Shortness of breath

* Chest pain

* A vague feeling of discomfort and fatigue

* Weight loss

* Red eyes

* Fever

* Small red bumps

* Arthritis

Sarcoidosis affects people of all ages and sexes but is primarily an adult illness, appearing in people 20 to 40 years old.

Paradoxically, in the United States the disease is more prevalent among African-Americans than Caucasians (35.5 cases per 100,000 for African-Americans and 10.9 per 100,000 for whites). African-American women, however, have the absolute highest rate of sarcoidosis in the U.S. and suffer from the disease twice as often as African-American men.

There is no known cure for the disease, and it is typically treated with anti-inflammatory drugs (steroids). The drug Prednisone is most frequently prescribed to treat the disease, but the long-term side effects can be serious and include high blood pressure, cataracts, diabetes, increased risk of infection, weight gain and osteoporosis.

Overall, the majority of people diagnosed with sarcoidosis recover completely without major health problems. However, about half experience some permanent organ damage, and in extreme cases the disease can lead to death.

Although there is no known cure for sarcoidosis, with proper management it can be treated and perhaps prevented. To decrease your chances of contracting sarcoidosis and other lung diseases, avoid secondhand smoke and obvious triggers like chemicals, dust and other irritants. Know the warning signs and get regular medical checkups. *

Kimberly Garrison is a certified personal trainer and owner of One on One Ultimate Fitness in Philadelphia (www.1on1ultimatefitness.com).

E-mail her at

kimberly@1on1ultimatefitness.com. Her column appears each Thursday in Yo! Chat with her on her Daily News weblog, the Girlfriends' Locker Room, at www.girlfriendslockerroom.com.