Amyloidosis is the medical term for a disease in which amyloid proteins accumulate in your body's organs. It can disable you and be a life-threatening condition, the Amyloidosis Foundation contends. In AA amyloidosis, the AA protein is the substance that accumulates in the kidneys. The Mayo Clinic reports the condition as rare and states researchers are yet to discover the exact cause.
Edema
Because of the AA protein build-up in your kidneys, AA amyloidosis may cause you to get a symptom known as edema. This is a bodily swelling that occurs because fluids accumulate in body cavities or in your tissues. The Mayo Clinic notes this swelling can take place anywhere in your body, but you may notice it more in your legs, feet, arms, ankles or hands. Tell-tale signs of edema may include skin that is shiny or stretched and an indentation in the affected area that remains a few moments following its cause, such as pressing your fingernail into your skin.
Fatigue
You may experience fatigue that is severe with AA amyloidosis, or you may simply feel weak throughout your body. This may occur with other forms of amyloidosis as well.
Urine
Some of the excess of AA protein in your system may be expelled from your body through your urine. This may be hard to detect, but if your urine color changes or it becomes cloudy, it could be a sign you have AA amyloidosis.
Other Symptoms
Symptoms of amyloidosis may be dependent upon the type of the condition you have, and while not all the other symptoms associated with it may occur in you with AA amyloidosis, they could. These symptoms may include macroglossia, or an enlargement of your tongue, purpura, or patches of purple circling your eyes, weight loss that is significant, shortness of breath, swallowing difficulties, tingling or numbness in your feet or hands. Also possible are arrhythmia, or an irregular heart rate, easy bruising, skin thickening, diarrhea and constipation. You also may experience a sensation of being full rapidly while you are eating.
