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Amyloidosis is a condition in which abnormal protein, also known as amyloids build up in the tissues and organs of the body. This is a serious disease that can lead to the failure of the organs affected. The signs and symptoms of this disease depend on the organ affected. Some of the common symptoms of this disease include loss of weight, enlargement of the tongue, tiredness, splenomegaly, numbness, and so on. There are various types of amyloidosis. They are classified into localized and systemic forms. The most prevalent types of systemic diseases include Light chain, inflammation, dialysis, hereditary and old age. This disease is diagnosed by performing a urinalysis. Protein would be found in the urine of a patient with the disease. Other findings on examination include enlargement of organs, problems with the peripheral nerves. A biopsy is usually done to confirm the disease. The primary aim of treatment is to reduce the amount of protein in the system. This is done by treating the disease. Stem cell therapy and exosomes are potential ways of treating this disease. This disease is predominant in people between the ages of fifty-five to sixty years old. The life expectancy of people affected by this disease is usually around half a year to about four years, if the disease is not treated.

What Are The Types Of Amyloidosis?

Various proteins can lead to the development of amyloidosis. However, only a few of them have been connected to cause health problems. These proteins may deposit throughout the body, or in just one location. Below are some of the types of amyloidosis;

  1. AL amyloidosis: This is also known as an immunoglobulin light chain or primary amyloidosis. The AL stands for “amyloid light chains”. This is the type of protein that causes the disease. Although the exact cause of this disease is not known yet, it has been observed that it occurs when the bone marrow produces abnormal antibodies that can’t be disintegrated. The type of amyloidosis is closely linked to multiple myeloma. This disease can also affect other parts of the body such as the renal system, cardiovascular system, liver and the gastrointestinal system.
  2. AA amyloidosis: This type is also known as secondary amyloidosis. This disease occurs as a result of a chronic infection or inflammatory diseases such as Crohn’s disease, or rheumatoid arthritis. It mostly affects the kidney, but can also affect other systems too, such as the gastrointestinal system. It is usually accompanied by other secondary diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
  3. Dialysis-related amyloidosis: This type of amyloidosis is more prevalent in older adults, and people that have been on dialysis for a long period of time, especially when it’s after 5 years. It occurs when the abnormal; proteins in blood are deposited in the tendons, and also in the joints. This usually leads to the rigidity of the joints. Patients might also complain of pains. This disease occurs because of the build-up of beta-2 microglobulin in the blood.
  4. Familial amyloidosis: Also known as hereditary amyloidosis. This type of amyloidosis is usually passed on from parents to their children. It affects organs such as the liver, renal system, heart and the nerves. The type of gene mutated to a large extent would determine the kind of symptoms the patient will present with. Usually, the symptoms of this disease worsen as time passes by. An abnormal protein known as transthyretin have been observed to be the cause of this type of amyloidosis.
  5. Senile systemic amyloidosis: This happens when transthyretin is deposited in the heart and other tissues of the body. It occurs mostly in elderly men.
  6. Organ-specific amyloidosis: This occurs when deposits of amyloid protein are localized in a single organ of the body.

What Are The Risk Factors Of Amyloidosis?

  1. Gender: It has been observed that amyloidosis occurs more in women than in men.
  2. Age: In addition, the chances of developing this disease increases as one becomes older.
  3. Other diseases: It has been observed that amyloidosis affects patients with a multiple myeloma. It’s also common in people suffering from end-stage kidney disease, and those that have been on dialysis for a long time.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Amyloidosis?

The symptoms of this disease are usually subtle and present differently in people. However, below are some of the general symptoms;

  • Renal system: The deposition of abnormal proteins, also known as amyloids in the kidney can lead to the development of some medical conditions. An example of this is nephrotic This occurs due to the inability of the kidneys to filter the amyloid proteins. This syndrome is usually associated with a rise in the level of creatinine and the blood urea.
  • Spleen: The enlargement of the liver is not common. It represents less than 5 percent of all amyloidosis cases.
  • Gastrointestinal problems: Patients do present with gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, which might be mixed with blood, and constipation. In addition, patients might have difficulties swallowing food.
  • Enlargement of tissues: The accumulation of amyloid proteins in tissues causes their enlargement. An example of this can be seen in the tongue. Some patients do present with glossitis, swollen joints, such as the shoulder joints and so on.
  • Endocrine system: Amyloids also accumulate in the thyroid and adrenal glands. The deposition of the abnormal proteins in the thyroid gland usually leads to hypothyroidism. On the other hand, the adrenal gland can be infiltrated, and patients might present with symptoms such as orthostatic hypotension, and hyponatremia. The amyloid proteins also deposit in the pancreas, and this could result in the development of other diseases, such as diabetes mellitus.

Stem cell therapy of Amyloidosis

Stem cell therapy has been a solid alternative to chemotherapy. Autologous blood stem cell transplant is commonly used to treat this disease. Basically, stem cells are extracted from the patient, and then re-transplanted into the patient. The stem cells are usually extracted from the blood and stored. Chemotherapy procedures are then embarked upon. After this procedure, the stem cells are then re=introduced into the body. This procedure is important for people whose heart is already affected by the abnormal proteins.

References

262 Longitudinal Assessment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity: British Isles Lupus Assessment Group 2004, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 or Both?. (2016). Rheumatology.

Barfield, C. (1980). Discoid Lupus Erythematosus and Tuberculosis Simulating Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Archives of Internal Medicine, 140(5), p.715.

Fox, R. (1979). Systemic lupus erythematosus. Association with previous neonatal lupus erythematosus. Archives of Dermatology, 115(3), pp.340-340.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome. (2016). Rheumatology.
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