The lungs are affected in nearly everyone diagnosed with sarcoidosis in the Netherlands, but most patients in the country don’t have disease severe enough to warrant systemic immune-suppressing treatments at the time of diagnosis. That’s according to the findings of a new study, “Organ involvement in…
Kerry Wong
“’Hang on a sec, hon,’ I called to my husband in the car, at the airport, and again on the plane. ‘I want to get a good shot. I’m sure something from this trip will work its way into my next column.’” That’s how I started my column one…
Blood levels of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) — a common sarcoidosis biomarker — were able to distinguish between newly diagnosed sarcoidosis patients with single versus multiple organ involvement, a study shows. Also, higher blood levels of interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R), an inflammatory marker, were linked with multiple organ involvement. ACE…
Kerry Wong
When I learned that an upcoming episode of the “AiArthritis Voices 360 Talk Show” would focus on the difficulty patients have in getting diagnosed, I jumped at the chance to co-host. After all, it took me eight years to get my sarcoidosis diagnosis, starting from when I began…
Kerry Wong
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose/ By any other word would smell as sweet.” — Juliet in William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” We’ve all heard those words before. Even those who slept through English lit class are familiar with one of the most famous lines from…
Sarcoidosis led to thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), a rare blood disorder, and associated severe kidney damage and blood-related abnormalities in a 31-year-old man, a case study reported. This rare case emphasizes the importance of considering sarcoidosis in uncommon cases of multiple organ dysfunction, as well as early intervention by a…
“You really should get that bump checked out.” It was September 2014, just after Labor Day, and a friend was pointing out the obvious. The bump, which I thought was just a rash, seemed to have no intention of going away. I didn’t think much of it at first, but…
Kerry Wong
The other day, I was sitting on the couch recuperating from my shower. (Yes, for many people with sarcoidosis, a shower is an Olympic event that requires planning, preparation, and recovery — but that’s a story for another day.) Anyway, I was on the couch trying to relax when, suddenly,…
Kerry Wong
About 20 years ago I joined a program to lose weight, and ended up gaining not only a healthier body but also a much healthier mindset. Along the way, I fully embraced the idea of transformation, and after an emotional and symbolic speech from another program member, I decided I…
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