Amyloidosis Diseases

Amyloidosis is a term used to describe a group of diseases caused when abnormal amyloid proteins produced in the bone marrow are deposited in other organs and tissues of the body. Amyloidosis is a rare condition with no known cure. There have been advances in treatment that help people with the condition manage symptoms and live better lives. The prognosis for people with amyloidosis largely depends on which organs are affected. Life threatening consequences of the condition include kidney failure and congestive heart failure.

History

• The term amyloidosis was first used to describe the condition over 100 years ago, but research has indicated cases of the condition as much as 300 years ago according to the Amyloidosis Foundation. Physician's have only learned about the structure and make-up of amyloid proteins within the past 20 years however.

Types

• The three main types of amyloidosis are primary, secondary and familial, or hereditary, amyloidosis. Other types do not fall within any of the main categories such as the protein that causes Alzheimer's disease. Primary amyloidosis is the most common type in the United States. It is a plasma cell disorder of the bone marrow and affects the kidneys, heart, nervous system and gastrointestinal tract most often. Chronic infection or inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis result in secondary amyloidosis, which is caused by the AA protein. Transthyretin proteins made in the liver are responsible for the familial type of amyloidosis.

Symptoms

• Symptoms associated with amyloidosis depend on which organ is affected and can include swelling of the ankles or legs, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, weight loss, fatigue, weakness, diarrhea, shortness of breath, swallowing difficulties, changes in the skin, tongue enlargement and irregular heart beat.

Risk Factors

• Factors that increase risk of developing amyloidosis include being older than 40, being male, having an infectious or inflammatory disease, family history of the condition and receiving kidney dialysis. The Mayo Clinic states that up to 15 percent of people with multiple myeloma, which is a form of bone marrow cancer also have amyloidosis.

Treatment

• Treatment options for amyloidosis patients who qualify depending on their general health and condition include stem cell transplantation and medication along with good nutrition for primary amyloidosis, controlling underlying conditions for those with secondary amyloidosis and possible liver transplantation for those with familial amyloidosis. People may also be put on special diets for specific conditions associated with amyloidosis such a low-fat diet if the heart and kidneys are damaged.