Amyloidosis is a health condition that leads to a build-up of amyloid in the organs. Amyloid is an abnormal protein produced in the bone marrow. It then gets deposited in various tissues or organs in the body.
The condition can impact different organs in the body. These commonly include the heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, digestive tract, and the nervous system. When the condition becomes severe, it can lead to organ failure and can prove to be fatal. Based on the organs it affects, the various types of amyloidosis are as follows:
Cardiac amyloidosis
When amyloid starts depositing in the heart, it leads to the stiffening of walls. It can even lead to the weakening of the heart muscles. The abnormal deposits of protein in the heart affects its electrical rhythm and hampers the flow of blood to the heart. All of this eventually leads to abnormal functioning of the heart and can cause various symptoms. Some of the common symptoms associated with this type of amyloidosis are:
- Breathlessness even with a light activity
- Irregular heartbeats
- Heart failure with signs like swollen ankles and feet, fatigue, nausea, and weakness
Renal or kidney amyloidosis
The kidneys are responsible for filtering out toxins and other waste material from the blood. However, when amyloid starts depositing in the kidneys, it does not allow the kidneys to perform their job efficiently. When the kidneys start to malfunction, water and other harmful toxins start accumulating in the body. As a result of amyloid deposit in the kidney, the following symptoms can occur:
- Kidney failure
- Swollen feet and ankles
- Puffy eyes
- High level of protein content found in urine
Gastrointestinal Amyloidosis
When amyloid protein starts to accumulate along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, it affects the digestion of food. The deposit of the amyloid protein in the tract slows down the movement of food through the intestines hence causing problems with digestion. When amyloid starts forming in the gastrointestinal tract, the following symptoms can occur:
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Pain in the stomach
- Weight loss
If the abnormal protein buildup starts in the liver, it can lead to enlargement of the liver and buildup of fluid in the body.
Amyloid Neuropathy
When amyloid protein starts accumulating in the nerves, it can cause damage to the peripheral nerves which are located outside the brain and the spinal cord. These nerves are responsible for carrying signals from the brain to the spinal cord and other parts of the body. It is because of these nerves that you feel pain when you burn your hand or stub your toe. When there is an amyloid accumulation in the nerves, the following symptoms can be experienced by the patients.
- Problems with balance
- Bowel and bladder movements that are not under control
- Excessive sweating
- Tingling sensation
- Weakness
- Lightheadedness, especially while standing because the body is not able to maintain blood pressure
All types of amyloidosis can prove to be serious health emergencies. If you have been experiencing any of the above symptoms for an extended period of time do speak with your doctor immediately.
