Saturday, August 9, 2008

Bernie Mac Dies of Sarcoidosis at 50

The rumors that Bernie Mac is dead are actually true now: the 50-year-old comedian has died in a Chicago hospital from complications due to pneumonia. While it may seem strange to hear of someone dying of pneumonia in this day and age, it's not that uncommon, especially when one has an underlying disease such as AIDS or, in the case of Bernie Mac, sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosisis a relatively rare immune system disease, the formation of small, grain-like lumps called granulomas. The granulomas can clump together to form larger lumps, which become inflamed. Though the granulomas can occur in different organs or in the lymph nodes, almost 90% of people with sarcoidosis are affected in the lungs.

Bernie Mac became ill in 2004 and the next year announced that he had sarcoidosis, according to a profile in the Chicago Tribune.

The Mayo Clinic has more on the causes, complications, and treatment of sarcoidosis.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I also have Sarcoidosis and I'd like to see more research done!!!

It's sad how many people are taken away way too early from this disease and those that are still fighting suffer daily.

There's an online petition for USA now out, please take a moment to sign it so we can find a cure today!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/sarcoidosis-it-hurts

Thanks for listening!