{"id":9850,"date":"2019-08-12T01:28:45","date_gmt":"2019-08-12T01:28:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=9850"},"modified":"2020-04-13T16:28:45","modified_gmt":"2020-04-13T16:28:45","slug":"15-common-causes-of-amyloidosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-common-causes-of-amyloidosis\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Common Causes of Amyloidosis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Amyloidosis is the official medical term used to describe a group of diseases caused by the buildup of abnormal proteins. Characteristic symptoms of amyloidosis include swollen legs and severe fatigue. Enlarged tongue and bloody diarrhea are other telltale signs that amyloidosis is present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, while the four symptoms listed above are common in patients with amyloidosis, you don\u2019t need to panic if you experience one of them. Instead, go for a checkup with your doctor to get a proper diagnosis and see what the root issue is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are quite a few distinct conditions that fall under this category. There are also many things that could cause amyloidosis. Of course, if we were to cover everything in this article then we\u2019d be writing until next decade. That being the case, we\u2019re going to go over the eight most common causes instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. DRA causes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

DRA stands for dialysis-related amyloidosis. This form of amyloidosis is prominent in older adults. This is due to the fact that the prominent cause of DRA is dialysis for five years or more. Various studies have shown a direct correlation between long-term dialysis and the development of this type of amyloidosis. In this form of amyloidosis, beta-2 microglobulin deposits start to build up in the blood due to the dialysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The buildup happens at a relatively slow pace, but it eventually gets to the point where symptoms will develop. Most doctors believe that the beta-2 microglobulin buildup begins immediately starting from when the dialysis is initiated but remains asymptomatic until the fifth year or beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some patients have even experienced symptoms of DRA sooner than five years, but it remains the average after analyzing a large number of cases. Patients relying on dialysis should be on the lookout for this form of amyloidosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Hereditary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hereditary \u2014 also referred to as familial \u2014 amyloidosis is passed down through family genetics. Those with family members who have amyloidosis are at a higher risk than the average human. This is a good reminder of the importance of knowing your family history so that you can keep a lookout for various conditions that you\u2019re at risk for and get early treatment if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether it\u2019s diabetes, amyloidosis, or mental disorders, nipping the problem at the bud is the best way to reduce the negative impact that it has on your life. You could get your family history from most hospitals provided that the records haven\u2019t been destroyed by natural disasters. You can also ask your parents about any prominent conditions that they\u2019ve noticed in the family. A combination of both methods is the best way to get a good look at the big picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Age-related systemic amyloidosis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This form of amyloidosis, sometimes also referred to as senile amyloidosis is most prominent in older men. The exact reason why cases with older women aren\u2019t as common remains unclear at the moment. This form of amyloidosis occurs when there\u2019s a buildup of TTR in the heart and other surrounding tissues within the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A theory proposed by some doctors as to why this form of amyloidosis is more prominent in older men rather than older women is that the higher testosterone levels increase the rate at which TTR builds up in the body, though studies attempting to confirm this theory are at an early stage and thus are unable to make a conclusive report at this time. It\u2019s worth noting that TTR could build up in other tissues of your body without ever touching the hear and still pose a threat to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Organ-specific amyloidosis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This type of amyloidosis occurs when amyloid protein deposits begin to buildup in a specific organ of your body. There are certain types of amyloid deposits that have been linked to Alzheimer\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That being said, it\u2019s very rare for the brain to be negatively impacted by these deposits if they build up in an organ other than the brain. This form of amyloidosis could manifest in virtually any organ of the body. This includes the liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, and other vital organs. Amyloidosis in the skin is referred to as cutaneous amyloidosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The skin is the largest organ in the human body so amyloidosis manifesting within it is a particularly serious issue. Early diagnosis and equally early treatment are essential to prevent further deterioration of the skin. Amyloidosis in other organs of the body should also be treated with urgency to prevent organ failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Multiple myelomas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Multiple myelomas are a type of cancer that manifests within the plasma cells in your body \u2014 which are a specific type of white blood cell. Cancer cells then buildup within the bone marrow, obstructing the passage of normal white blood cells. Patients with multiple myeloma are said to be 15% more likely to develop amyloidosis based on the results of multiple studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bone pain \u2014 prominently around the spine and chest \u2014 is one of the characteristic symptoms of multiple myeloma. Gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, constipation, and loss of appetite are also common in patients who suffer from multiple myeloma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has often been colloquially referred to as the \u201cracist cancer\u201d as a reference to the fact that black people are twice as likely to develop this form of cancer in comparison to white people. Black men in their mid-60s are at the highest risk of developing multiple myeloma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. AA amyloidosis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

AA amyloidosis has also been referred to as secondary amyloidosis, though the current de facto term is the former rather than the latter. Chronic diseases \u2014 both of the infectious and inflammatory variety \u2014 such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn\u2019s disease, or rheumatoid arthritis may cause this type of amyloidosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This form of amyloidosis has the largest impact on your kidneys. That being said, the heart, liver, and digestive tract could also be mildly affected by this type of amyloidosis. There have even been unconfirmed reports of patients with pre-existing heart conditions going into cardiac arrest as a result of the AA amyloidosis negatively impacting their cardiovascular system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people wonder why this type of amyloidosis is referred to as AA. Rest assured it has nothing to do with batteries or alcoholic support groups. The condition is named AA because it\u2019s caused by the amyloid type A protein.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We know, it\u2019s quite the mouthful. That\u2019s why most people refer to this variant by its shorter name: AL amyloidosis. This variant is by far the most common type of amyloidosis. In fact, that\u2019s the very reason why it used to be called primary amyloidosis. The AL portion of the name is named such as a reference to the amyloid light chains that cause this form of amyloidosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amyloid light chains are a type of protein that buildup in deposits within the body. The issue begins when your bone marrow starts to produce abnormal antibodies that your body is unable to break down. Correlation between it and multiple myeloma has also been identified. This type of amyloidosis can affect the nerves. The potential neuropathy is one of the largest threats that this form of amyloidosis presents. Cannabidiol has been suggested as a treatment for AL amyloidosis but clinical trials are still in their early stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Gastrointestinal amyloidosis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gastrointestinal amyloidosis is a variant that occurs, as the name implies, in your gastrointestinal tract. Amyloid deposits build up along the GI tract which makes it harder for your food to move through. In this way, gastrointestinal amyloidosis is the equivalent of a traffic jam. There are various symptoms that could manifest due to the buildup of amyloid deposits in your GI tract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These include stomach pain, diarrhea, and nausea. Loss of appetite may also be present in some cases. This could lead to you shedding pounds in a rapid manner. If the liver is affected by the amyloidosis then liver enlargement may occur alongside a buildup of fluid within your body. It\u2019s essential that you bring cases of gastrointestinal amyloidosis to your doctor immediately so that they can treat you before more complications occur as a result of the GI tract \u201ctraffic jam.\u201d
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