Amyloidosis is a disease in which amyloid proteins deposit in different organs in the body, causing organ damage and dysfunction. The abnormal amyloid proteins come from the bone marrow. They originate as antibodies that the body can't break down later, so they accumulate in the body's tissues. There are different types of amyloidosis, based on the protein present in the tissues. There is no cure for amyloidosis, but there are medicines to control its symptoms.
General Symptoms
Patients with systemic amyloidosis feel fatigued and weak, and may suffer from shortness of breath. They suffer from muscle aches and tenderness. Their hands and feet can become swollen; they can feel numb or have a tingling sensation on them. When a patient with amyloidosis shakes your hand or tries to grab something, they will have a weak grip. Patients with amyloidosis also lose weight without wanting or meaning to. Amyloid proteins can deposit in the skin, resulting in swelling and causing skin bumps called papules, which can feel waxy. They appear on the face, groin and armpits.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
If the amyloid deposits mostly in the gastrointestinal tract, patients can have uncontrolled diarrhea or severe constipation, and their stools can be clay-colored. When their abdomen is examined, patients with amyloidosis will have a swollen or enlarged liver and a swollen spleen. They can have signs of malnutrition, or bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract.
Cardiac Symptoms
Amyloid deposition in the heart can result in abnormal heart rhythms and congestive heart failure. The heart of patients with congestive heart failure cannot pump blood properly, resulting in a back up of blood in the lungs. This can manifest itself as shortness of breath, shallow breathing, and decreased concentration of oxygen in the blood.
Renal Symptoms
Symptoms of amyloidosis of the kidney include in the loss of protein in the urine. Proteins like albumin help keep fluids inside the blood vessels. Without these proteins, fluids deposit in the tissues surrounding the blood vessels, resulting in swelling in areas like the legs and feet. Patients also have decreased urine output.
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