The amyloidosis It is a disease caused by the accumulation of amyloid protein in the extracellular spaces of the body’s tissues and organs. This protein is generated in the bone marrow and can accumulate in the heart, liver, kidneys and other parts of the body. Amyloidosis is a rare disease that has no cure, although treatment usually controls it. In some cases, the severity of amyloidosis can be high and cause organ failure resulting in death. It can affect anyone, although men suffer from it more frequently.
Causes of amyloidosis
Accumulation of a protein
The cause of amyloidosis is the accumulation of amyloid protein in some organ of the body. It is a disease that mainly affects men. African people have a greater predisposition to develop it. Patients undergoing dialysis are also a risk group.
There are several types of amyloidosis:
– AL amyloidosis or primary amyloidosis. It is the most common and usually affects the heart, kidneys, nervous system and liver.
– AA amyloidosis or secondary amyloidosis. In this case, the protein accumulates mainly in the kidneys, but it can also spread to other parts of the body.
– Genetic amyloidosis. It is a type of hereditary disease.
– Amyloidosis related to dialysis. It affects people on long-term dialysis. Blood proteins are deposited in the joints and tendons.
Anyone can suffer from amyloidosis but the main risk factors are:
– Be a man between 60 and 70 years old.
– Suffering from a chronic infectious or inflammatory disease.
– Family history.
– Follow dialysis treatment.
Symptoms of amyloidosis
Symptoms appear when the disease has already developed
In the early stages, no signs of amyloidosis appear. When the disease has already developed, various symptoms arise depending on the type of amyloidosis in each case:
– Fatigue.
– Swelling of the extremities.
– Numbness, tingling or pain in the hands and wrist.
– Enlarged tongue.
– Changes in the skin.
– Irregular heartbeat.
– Tingling in the hands.
-Digestive problems.
– Weight loss.
– Respiratory problems.
– Appearance of bruises.
– Difficulty swallowing.
Diagnosis of amyloidosis
Difficult detection of the disease
The symptoms of amyloidosis are the same as those that appear in other types of pathologies, which makes its diagnosis difficult. Early detection is important because it prevents the affected organs from being severely damaged. The use of certain clinical tests to confirm the diagnosis is common.
– Blood and urine tests.
– Thyroid analysis.
– Biopsy.
– Echocardiogram.
Amyloidosis treatment and medication
There is no cure
Amyloidosis cannot be cured, so treatment only seeks to control the consequences. To do this, it is important to reduce the production of amyloid protein. The range of medications is varied depending on the type of amyloidosis that each patient suffers from. If complications appear in the treatment of amyloidosis, the correct functioning of some organs may be compromised, such as the kidneys, heart or nervous system.
In the case of the kidneys, the filtration system is damaged; the heart’s ability to fill with blood between beats is reduced; and in the nervous system sensitivity decreases and pain, tingling and numbness in the extremities increases.
In the case of primary amyloidosis, the same medications are used as in some chemotherapy treatments. In other cases, a liver or kidney transplant can be used. In addition, pain relievers and anticoagulants may be prescribed.
Amyloidosis prevention
Prevention cannot prevent the onset of the disease
There is no way to prevent the development of the disease, but certain healthy habits help minimize the effects when you have amyloidosis. It is important to follow a balanced diet, low in salt, reduce alcohol consumption, not smoke and avoid great physical exertion or strenuous activities. Rest is very important.
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