Amyloidosis refers to the malfunctioning of the body organs due to abnormal deposition of amyloid proteins. Often this abnormal deposition of proteins which results in amyloidosis causes in the damage of body organs leading to the death of an individual. This is serious condition and care should be taken right from the beginning of the disease. In this specific disease the folds of protein gets deposited over heart, kidneys and sometimes even the nerves resulting in the mal-functioning of the body organs. Such a condition is referred as amyloidosis. After the deposition of the proteins in an abnormal manner the organ cannot function in the normal manner. This results in the malfunctioning of the organ, damage of the organ and consequent death from the failure of the organs of the body.
Types of Amyloidosis
As there are different types of proteins present in our body the type of amyloidosis also varies as per the deposition of the types of protein. This disease might affect all the organs of the body or may be organ specific. AL amyloidosis is the common form of amyloidosis. The bone marrow has abnormal cells that produce antibody proteins which in turn results in amyloid. In case of rheumatoid arthritis, secondary amyloidosis occurs. This is the result of inflammatory condition for a long period of time. These are the most common cases of amyloidosis.This disease also occurs due to hereditary reasons. It is the older people who are likely to get affected by amyloidosis andit is more common among the men. This disease occurs when amyloid proteins get deposited over organs in a rather abnormal way. There are 25 types of proteins that may result in formation of amyloid.
Amyloidosis Symptoms
The symptoms develop due to the malfunctioning of the organs. This accumulation of protein in the body takes some years before the problem is noticed. As the deposition of protein can take place in different parts of the body similarly the symptoms are also different. If proteins are deposited in the kidneys then the person suffers from kidney failure. The usual symptoms are tiredness and low appetite which are associated with this disease. If the deposition takes place in the heart then the heart is unable to pump the blood and it gets enlarged. A person suffers from breathlessness and fluid is retained in the heart. The ultimate result is heart failure which is fatal.
It is difficult to diagnose a case of amyloidosis. A biopsy of the affected part is done on one of the sample tissue. If abnormal protein deposits are found then treatment for amyloidosis is started. Microscopic examination of the tissues is done. The deposits are identified by the process of Congo red staining. The amyloid deposits are known to contain serum amyloid P component. When the tissues that have this abnormal protein are viewed under polarized light the abnormal deposits which have amyloid radiate a characteristic 'apple green birefringence' by which it can be identified.
Amyloidosis Treatment
Treating a patient suffering from amyloidosis is rather difficult. If it is a case of secondary amyloidosis then treating rheumatoid arthritis may restrict the deposition of protein or vice versa. If the person suffers from
AL amyloidosis then chemotherapy drugs are administered. This does not allow further deposition of protein and the progress of the disease is stopped to a certain extent. Transplantation of the damaged organ is also suggested but that is not the only cure as deposits many form over the new organ.
