Which symptom is common to both interstitial lung disease and sarcoidosis?

Shortness of breath is a common symptom in both interstitial lung disease and sarcoidosis due to the impact each condition has on lung function. In interstitial lung disease, inflammation and scarring of the lung tissue can lead to reduced lung capacity and impaired gas exchange, resulting in difficulty breathing, particularly with exertion. Sarcoidosis, characterized by the formation of granulomas in various organs, including the lungs, can similarly cause inflammation and fibrosis, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath. These shared respiratory complications make shortness of breath a key feature in both diseases, highlighting the pulmonary involvement that they share despite their differing underlying mechanisms.

In contrast, while skin lesions may be associated with sarcoidosis, they are not a common feature of interstitial lung diseases broadly. Blurry vision is not typically associated with either condition, though it can occur in specific instances of sarcoidosis due to ocular involvement. Nasal congestion is generally not directly related to either condition and is more often seen in upper respiratory or allergic conditions. Thus, shortness of breath serves as a significant overlapping symptom in these two distinct pathologies.