Sarcoidosis is a disease characterized by the growth of tiny collections of inflammatory cells (granulomas) in any part of your body — most commonly the lungs and lymph nodes. But it can also affect the eyes, skin, heart, and other organs.
The cause of sarcoidosis is unknown, but experts think it results from the body’s immune system responding to an unknown substance. It most often occurs between 20 and 40 years of age, with women being diagnosed more frequently than men.
There is no cure for sarcoidosis, but the disease may get better on its own over time. Many people with sarcoidosis have mild symptoms and do not require any treatment. Treatment, when it is needed, is given to reduce symptoms and to maintain the proper working order of the affected organs.
Treatments generally fall into two categories — maintenance of good health practices and drug treatment. Good health practices include:
- Getting regular check-ups with your healthcare provider
- Eating a well-balanced diet with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables
- Drinking enough fluids every day
- Getting six to eight hours of sleep each night
- Exercising regularly and managing your weight
- Quitting smoking
Drug treatments are used to relieve symptoms and reduce the inflammation of the affected tissues.
5 Yoga Asanas for Sarcoidosis
Chest opening postures like matsyasana (fish pose) and bhujangasana (cobra pose), as well as good posture that facilitates full expansion of the lungs.
Trunk building postures like Vrikshasana (tree pose), vasistasana (side plank), and Ardha Pincha Mayurasana (dolphin pose).
Therapy breathing exercises like single or double leg lift breathing, locust breathing, cat-cow breathing, and setu-bandasana breathing can prove beneficial. Pranayama (breathing exercises) to explore and expand breathing capacity. Suggested exercises: abdominal breathing, thoracic breathing, clavicular breathing, and full yogic breathing. Kapalabhati (bellows-like breathing) is useful to open the sinuses and may also be useful for skin problems.
Mediation is good for reprogramming, calming, and centering.