Amyloidosis

Amyloidosis

This condition arises when protein amyloid accumulated in your tissue and organs and disrupt the normal function of them. It is not found our body normally but I can b made from other proteins. It may be accumulated in your heart, liver, spleen, brain, and kidneys.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms appeared late in disease which includes:Amyloidosis

  • Shortness of breath
  • Swelling at different parts of the body
  • Numbness
  • Fatigue and malaise
  • Nausea and diarrhea
  • Enlarged tongue
  • Bruising and thickening of the skin
  • Irregular heart rhythm
Causes

Amyloidosis occurs in different types some types are hereditary and some due to another disease which build up the abnormal protein in your body. Subtyps include:

  • AA amyloidosis. Usually occur due to inflammation.
  • Hereditary amyloidosis. Mostly attack the heart, nerves and kidneys
  • AL amyloidosis.The most common and primary type of amyloidosis.
  • Wild type. Also known as senile systemic amyloidosis
Complications

Complications depends on the organ on which amyloid deposition occurs.

  • Affect the filtering function of kidneys due to which toxic substances start to accumulate in body
  • Decreased the ability to pump the blood.
  • Nervous system. Amyloid affects the nerves which causes the pain, numbness and tingling.
Diagnosis

After taking history and doing physical examination your doctor might recommend the following tests to diagnose the amyloidosis:

  • Biopsy to determine the type of amyloidosis
  • Imaging test to check the extent of disease
  • Blood test the to check the total blood count
  • Urine analyze to detect any abnormal protein present in urin
Treatment

Treatment only relief from signs and symptoms and prevent the complications. Following options of treatment would be helpful:

  • Medications for heart to control the abnormal function of heart
  • Chemotherapy to stop the abnormal growth of amyloid producing cells.
  • Dialysis to rescue the normal kidney function
  • Organ translplant
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