Overview
Sarcoidosis is usually diagnosed with a combination of a physical exam, imaging (such as a chest X-ray) and biopsy of suspected granulomas. Because sarcoidosis can look like other conditions, your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other illnesses.
What tests are used to diagnose sarcoidosis?
Imaging tests and biopsies are the most common ways to diagnose sarcoidosis, but your healthcare provider may order others based on your signs and symptoms.
- Imaging tests use special machines to take pictures of the structures inside of your body. Your healthcare provider may order chest X-rays, CT scans or MRIs.
- Biopsies can be done in many different ways, depending on where your provider suspects you have granulomas. Skin, conjunctiva (eye) and some lymph node biopsies can be non- or minimally invasive.
More involved procedures can examine tissue from your lungs using small tubes, cameras and biopsy equipment passed through your nose, your throat or an incision (small cut). These include:
- Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial fine needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA).
- Bronchoscopic transbronchial biopsy.
- Mediastinoscopy.
Other tests for sarcoidosis include:
- Pulmonary function tests: Noninvasive tests that measure how well your lungs work.
- Lab tests: Blood or urine tests are used to see how well your liver, kidneys and other organs work.
- Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG): A routine office test that checks the electrical activity of your heart.
- Nuclear imaging: PET scans and gallium scans usea small amount of radioactive material injected into a vein to show inflammation in your body.
- Purified protein derivative: A simple skin test that helps establish prior exposure or infection with tuberculosis (TB). This can diagnose or rule out TB, which is sometimes mistaken for sarcoidosis.
- Slit-lamp examination: Your provider looks at the inside of your eye to detect eye-related problems caused by sarcoidosis.
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Symptoms
When to see a doctor
Complications
Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.
The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.
Prevention
Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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