Amyloidosis is a disease that occurs when substances called amyloid proteins in the body organs. Amyloid is an abnormal protein usually produced by cells in the bone marrow that can be stored in the tissues or organs.
Amyloidosis can affect different organs in different people, and there are various types of amyloid. Amyloidosis frequently affects the heart, kidneys, liver, spleen, nervous system and digestive tract.
Amyloidosis is rare and the exact cause is often unknown. The treatment is available only to help manage the symptoms of amyloidosis and limit the production of amyloid protein.
Cause
Doctors classify into 3 major forms of amyloidosis, among others:
1. Primary amyloidosis
The most common form of amyloidosis can affect many organs, including heart, kidney, liver, spleen, nerves, intestines, skin, tongue, and blood vessels.
Primary amyloidosis is not associated with other diseases, except for multiple myeloma, which is a form of cancer in the bone marrow. The exact cause of primary amyloidosis is unknown.
2. Secondary amyloidosis
Secondary amyloidosis occurs in association with infection or chronic inflammatory diseases, like tuberculosis, inflammatory arthritis, osteomyelitis, or bone infection.
It mainly affects the kidneys, spleen, liver and lymph nodes, although other organs may also be involved. Treatment of underlying disease may help stop the progression of this form of amyloidosis.
3. Amyloidosis hereditary (familial)
As the name suggests, hereditary amyloidosis (familial) is an inherited form of amyloidosis. This type often affects the heart, nerves, heart, and kidneys.
4. Dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA)
Is a form of amyloidosis that develops when proteins in the blood stored in the joints and tendons, causing pain, stiffness and fluid in the joints, as well as carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition is most likely to influence those who conduct long-term hemodialysis.
Symptom
Signs and symptoms of amyloidosis depend on which organs are affected. Signs and symptoms of amyloidosis that may occur, among others:
1. Swelling of the ankles and feet
2. Weakness
3. Weight loss was significantly
4. Shortness of breath
5. Numbness or tingling in hands or feet
6. Diarrhea or constipation
7. Feeling full quickly
8. Severe fatigue
9. Enlarged tongue (macroglossia)
10. Skin changes, such as thickening or easy bruising
11. Purplish patches (purpura) around the eyes
12. Irregular heartbeat
13. Difficulty swallowing
14. Protein in the urine (detected by urine testing)
Treatment
Although there is no cure for amyloidosis, but the treatment may help manage the signs and symptoms and limit further production of the protein amyloid.
Researchers are studying several therapies to determine their place in the treatment of amyloidosis. For primary systemic amyloidosis, several drugs that can be used, among others:
1. Drugs
a. Therapies include melphalan (Alkeran) or cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
The drug is a chemotherapeutic agent that is also used to treat certain types of cancer.
b. Dexamethasone can also be used
Is a corticosteroid used as an anti-inflammatory. These drugs interfere with the growth of abnormal cells that produce amyloid proteins.
2. Peripheral blood stem cell transplantation
Transplantation involves the use of high-dose chemotherapy and blood cell transfusion previously collected mature (stem cells) to replace diseased or damaged marrow.
Sources: MayoClinic
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