{"id":12092,"date":"2019-09-04T08:47:28","date_gmt":"2019-09-04T08:47:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=12092"},"modified":"2021-04-29T16:29:04","modified_gmt":"2021-04-29T16:29:04","slug":"14-common-causes-of-monoclonal-gammopathy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-common-causes-of-monoclonal-gammopathy\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Common Causes of Monoclonal Gammopathy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, (MGUS), describes the medical condition where abnormal “M-proteins” start to enter the bloodstream. M-proteins form in the bone marrow, which is the soft tissue in the bones that produces white blood cells. MGUS is a condition that typically affects men over the age of 70-years old. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

MGUS is challenging for medical professionals to diagnose. The disorder does not produce any noticeable symptoms or stand-alone symptoms in the affected individual. In many cases, the person does not realize they are suffering from the effects of MGUS until they develop another severe life-threatening disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, patients do not experience any noticeable symptoms, but the patient should undergo regular checkups with a doctor to see if the condition progresses into some form of blood cancer. In some circumstances, the patient may develop lymphoma or leukemia as a result of MGUS. Here are eight causes of the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Unknown Causes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Medical science does not understand the exact cause of MGUS. The disease typically occurs in men over the age of 70-years old,\u00a0and at this stage of life, there is a multitude of adverse physical illnesses that could be affecting the occurrence of the condition. People with MGUS experience an increase in M-proteins entering the bloodstream<\/a>. In most cases, the proteins do not cause any adverse health conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to the lack of diagnostic evidence of the disease, it’s very challenging for physicians to pick up on evidence of MGUS in affected individuals. In most cases, the patient will visit the doctor concerning another disease or disorder. The physician takes a blood sample from the patient and sends it to the laboratory for testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Labs will indicate the presence of M-proteins in the bloodstream of the affected individual, along with any other abnormalities that may be causing the patient’s current condition. If diagnosed with MGUS, doctors do not have any specific treatment to assist the patient with recovery or minimizing the amount of M-proteins in the bloodstream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2.  Genetic Changes <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While medical professionals do not understand the reason for the development of MGUS in affected individuals,\u00a0some medical experts may believe that it occurs due to changes in the person’s genetics <\/a>as they age. Typically,\u00a0people produce lymphocytes and white blood cells in the bone marrow. As the person ages, the bones may start to leach calcium,\u00a0resulting in the onset of bone spurs and calcium deficiency in the affected individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While this is a common occurrence, and part of the natural aging process, the leaching of M-proteins from bone marrow is an unexplained occurrence, and medical science still does not understand why this occurs in older individuals. As we age, our genetics may change due to our environment. These genetic changes may result in the onset of MGUS in the affected individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anybody over the age of 60 years old must receive regular medical checkups with a licensed practitioner. When doctors do not understand what causes MGUS, they know the risk profile of individuals affected by the condition. It’s for this reason that the doctors recommend seniors receive at least one checkup every year to check for the presence of diseases like MGUS and cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Environmental Triggers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some studies by medical experts believe that MGUS may occur due to changes in the affected individual’s environment. For instance, if the individual moves from wide-open spaces with very few environmental toxins, into a busy city, they may be more likely to develop the symptoms of MGUS. Rapid environmental changes take their toll on the body, especially when it is in its senior years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other environmental triggers that may cause the onset of MGUS may include lifestyle <\/a>factors such as drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes. Both of these practices are hazardous to the health of seniors and may cause the onset of more severe illnesses. Patients who experience changes in their living environment should seek regular checkups with their doctors to check for the presence of M-proteins in the bloodstream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the doctor does notice the presence of M-proteins, they may suggest lifestyle changes and environmental changes, to slow the progression of the condition. While medical science is uncertain if these triggers play a role in the development of MGUS, doctors will rely on this information during the diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Age<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Statistics show that a person’s age <\/a>is the most likely indicator of the presence of MGUS in affected individuals. The majority of diagnosis occur in patients that are over the age of 70-years old. However, there are cases of MGUS developing in men as young as 60-years old. It’s for this reason that doctors recommend seniors over the age of 60 should receive at least one medical checkup every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we age, the body starts to experience a breakdown in protein synthesis. This slowdown results in the development of a wide range of adverse health disorders and conditions in the affected individual. As a result, the patient may start to notice the signs of aging, such as wrinkles in the skin and hair loss. People over the age of 60-years old are also at risk of developing degenerative bone diseases, such as arthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some doctors believe that the aging process is the primary factor causing the onset of MGUS in affected individuals. If you are over the age of 60-years old, make sure you visit your doctor annually for a checkup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Race<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to studies on MGUS, African-American men are more likely to experience the onset of MGUS than other race groups. Medical science does not understand why the disease seems to be selective in nature. However, the statistics show that men of Hispanic and Asian origin are more likely to develop the condition than Caucasian individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are of African descent, then it’s advisable to receive annual checkups from your doctor every year to check your bloodwork. Your bloodwork tells a story of your current health. Doctors look at your hormone<\/a> profile and check the body for any signs of abnormalities that may lead to the onset of chronic disease.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do experience a diagnosis of MGUS, then it’s vital that you increase your frequency of checkup intervals to once every 6-months. During your visit to the doctor’s office, the physician will look for any evidence of MGUS developing into forms of cancer, such as leukemia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Gender<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

MGUS is more likely to occur in men than in women. Statistics show that men are six times more likely to experience the onset of MGUS. Medical science is also at a loss to explain why the disease is gender-selective. Some medical professionals believe it may have something to do with the different hormone profiles in men and women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hormones play a significant role in our bodies. Hormones regulate metabolism, control mood, and drive our thinking. As men age, they experience a decline in testosterone production. Testosterone <\/a>is the primary male hormone, and it starts to decline from the age of 40-years old. By the time men reach the age of 70-they have deficient testosterone levels in the bloodstream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These low testosterone levels play a significant role in the development of diseases. Some doctors believe that low-testosterone is a contributing factor in the event of MGUS. Unfortunately, it is impossible to stop the aging process, but some doctors can treat hormone deficiency in men through the use of hormone replacement therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Family History<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your family history is also an indicator of whether or not you are at a higher risk of developing MGUS in your senior years. People who are dealing with the onset of the condition may find that their parents may have also developed the disease. Since men are more predisposed to developing MGUS, it’s more likely that the patient received the gene responsible for developing the condition from their father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each parent passes on a set of genes to the child upon conception. These genes determine everything about our bodies and our personality. If your parents have any form of a chronic medical condition, such as arthritis or macular degeneration, then you may end up developing the same diseases and disorders <\/a>later in life as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same situation applies to people that are dealing with the onset of MGUS. These patients probably have a parent that passed on the genetics responsible for developing the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Complications Associated with MGUS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Complications in patients who are living with MGUS are rare. Each year, only around 1-percent of patients develop some form of life-threatening complication as a result of their condition. However, when complications occur, they can involve life-threatening diseases, such as cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common type of complication involving MGUS is the development of blood cancer. There are various types of blood cancer, with lymphoma and leukemia <\/a>being the most common. Patients with leukemia experience changes in white blood cell production. The blood cells multiply faster than other cells, crowding them out to form tumors. Tumors typically occur in the bone marrow, although they can metastasize to various other areas of the body as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s for this reason that medical professionals recommend that seniors visit the doctor for an annual checkup, and those with MGUS should arrange a checkup at least twice a year. Other less-common complications involved with MGUS include kidney problems and blood clots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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