Warning Signs Of Amyloidosis

Amyloidosis is a rare disease caused by amyloid buildup in the organs. Amyloid is produced by the bone marrow and can sometimes leak into the organs, causing issues. This disorder can affect the heart, liver, nervous system, digestive tract, and many other organs. While there is no cure for amyloidosis, treatments can ease symptoms and reduce the production of amyloid. There are quite a few warning signs patients should look out for if they suspect they may have amyloidosis. Below we will break down these symptoms, explaining what exactly happens to the body when it experiences amyloid leakage into the organs.

Fatigue And Weakness

Fatigue and weakness affect everyone with amyloidosis. If an individual suffers from fatigue, they will notice it is difficult to get out of bed every morning, and when they finally do get up, they will typically feel like going back to bed all day. Extreme fatigue and weakness should always result in a doctor visit, especially if patients experience it for a prolonged period. However, fatigue isn't merely a sign of amyloidosis, and it accompanies many other disorders. One of the easiest ways for individuals to know they are suffering from fatigue is if they are worn out by simple tasks, like normal household chores.

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Diarrhea And Constipation

The gastrointestinal tract could be affected by amyloidosis. Specifically, a patient may suffer from diarrhea and constipation, which are caused by the gastrointestinal tract having problems absorbing nutrients from food. In addition to diarrhea and constipation, a patient may suffer from bleeding, blockages, and macroglossia. Even the esophagus can be affected by amyloidosis, leading to gastroesophageal reflux disease. One of the major signs diarrhea is caused by amyloidosis is if blood accompanies diarrhea. Anytime individuals have bloody stool, they should visit a doctor right away, as blood in the stool is a sign of a litany of different diseases and disorders.

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Unexplained Weight Loss

Unexplained weight loss, while it may be attractive in the beginning, is a major sign of many different medical issues. It is also a major symptom of amyloidosis. Weight loss over time is usually not worth worrying about. However, if individuals are losing weight quickly and unexpected, it could be a sign of amyloidosis, because amyloidosis makes it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients. When the body is unable to benefit from the food being eaten, it results in weight loss: this is a serious problem. In addition to suffering from unexplained weight loss, a patient may also have difficulty swallowing. The tongue will also be abnormally large and swollen.

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Swelling In Ankles And Legs

Swelling in the ankles and legs could be a sign of something harmless, such as sodium-induced water retention. However, in some cases, like with amyloidosis, swelling of the lower extremities could be a sign of something serious. Swelling in ankles and legs isn't usually cause for a doctor visit, but if this amyloidosis symptom accompanies any others, patients should make an appointment with a doctor right away. They should ask the doctor about what they can do regarding amyloidosis-caused water retention. The doctor may encourage patients to ingest less salt and less water. While water retention doesn't seem like a huge issue, it can cause them to be unable to wear their shoes comfortably or fit into their clothes.

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Shortness Of Breath

Any trouble breathing should be followed up with a doctor visit, as this is a serious symptom no matter what is causing it. Even if individuals don't suspect amyloidosis, they should visit the doctor if they suffer from shortness of breath. Amyloidosis can cause shortness of breath as this disease affects the heart, creating an irregular heartbeat, possible enlargement of the heart, and poor heart function, which results in fluid buildup, ultimately leading to shortness of breath. Patients should visit the doctor anytime they are having trouble breathing, especially if they are suffering from other symptoms associated with amyloidosis.

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Enlarged Tongue

Individuals affected by amyloidosis may present with an enlarged tongue as an indicator of their disorder. The medical term that characterizes a swollen tongue that is large in terms of its proportion to other oral cavity structures is called macroglossia. Approximately nineteen percent of primary systemic amyloidosis patients experience macroglossia. An enlarged tongue can cause stridor or noisy breathing that is high-pitched, snoring, difficulties with eating, speaking, and abnormal development of the teeth and jaw. The tongue may project through any gaps present between the teeth and produce unique and abnormal indentations on the tongue surface. The enlarged tongue is caused by the disposition of amyloid in the subepithelial connective tissues of the tongue. Amyloid deposits are proteins that produce an antiparallel fashion of pleated sheets that make up non-branching, rigid fibers. These fibers resist enzyme actions of proteolysis or protein breakdown into amino acids. When these amyloids deposit in the tongue, they cause local oxidative stress and mechanical tissue disruption. Tissue damage occurs, and the ensuing inflammatory response causes the tongue to develop scar tissue and become enlarged.

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Thickened Or Easily Bruised Skin

Amyloidosis patients may experience thickened or easily bruised skin as a manifestation of their disorder. Thickened skin is the result of several types of skin lesions characteristic of amyloidosis. These lesions are shiny, waxy, and smooth-textured, and they may be characterized as nodules, plaques, or papules. Common places where these thickened areas of skin occur are the area below the ears, groin region, eyelids, and neck. These plaques often combine with each other to formulate larger, swollen or puffy lesions. These skin manifestations occur due to the deposits of amyloid in the subcutis or reticular dermis. Other regions of amyloidosis patients' skin may present with easy bruising as a symptom of the disorder. Easy bruising is the result of amyloid deposits that formulate in the walls of the blood vessels that causes the vessels to become weakened and leak blood at times without any obvious injury. With the infiltration of amyloids, the blood vessels have a diminished ability to handle challenges involving hydrostatic pressure. This malfunction causes the blood vessels to burst open or form a bruise upon impact easier than they would otherwise.

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Purpura Around The Eyes

Individuals affected by amyloidosis may present with purpura around the eyes as a manifestation of their disease. Purpura is the medical term used to describe red and purple colored spots that occur on a patient's skin and mucous membranes. Purpura form when tiny blood vessels burst and the blood accumulates under the individual's skin. Between fifteen and twenty percent of amyloidosis patients experience this symptom spontaneously or following minor trauma. Purpura happens due to the weakening of blood vessel walls from amyloid deposits. These deposits cause the competency of the blood vessels to handle challenges involving hydrostatic pressure to become impaired. The bleeding manifestations in affected individuals may also be related to the higher prevalence of abnormal platelet aggregation, dysfibrinogenemia, and blood clotting factor deficiencies of factors X, IX, V, VII, and II. The eyes and other facial regions are the most common regions for amyloidosis purpura to occur due to the elevated concentration of blood vessels and capillaries that supply blood to the area. These purpuric lesions also commonly occur in flexural areas of the eyelids, periorbital region, neck, axillae, and nasolabial folds.

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Difficulty Swallowing

Amyloidosis can present in the form of a patient having difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). Amyloid deposits can form within and replace healthy muscle tissues. Additionally, amyloid deposits can form and accumulate in the interstitial tissues that neighbor the affected muscle. This mechanism causes a decrease in muscle contraction that results in constrictive impairment of the affected muscles. When this malfunction occurs in and around the muscles that move the jaw, it may result in an inability to chew physically and swallow properly. This process can occur in and around the lower esophageal sphincter, causing increased pressure and an inability of the sphincter to relax. This malfunction results in the impairment of the esophageal phase of swallowing. Additionally, the main nerve supply to the esophagus and upper GI tract can exhibit reduced function caused by reduced blood flow that results from amyloid deposits in the submucosal vessels. Amyloid deposits in the submucosal layer can cause increased rigidity and decreased motility that results in problems swallowing. Macroglossia that occurs due to amyloidosis may cause sensations of pain when swallowing.

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Numbness And Tingling In The Hands And Feet

Numbness and tingling in the hands or feet can be an indication an individual has amyloidosis. Numbness, tingling, burning sensation, and a lack of feeling can manifest in the toes, soles of the feet, fingers, and hands. Temperature sensitivity may also become decreased in the hands and feet. These sensations are the result of amyloidosis precipitated neuropathies of the peripheral nerves, sensory nerves, and sometimes the autonomic nerves. Approximately twenty percent of individuals affected by amyloidosis experience some form of peripheral neuropathy, while around fifteen percent experience autonomic neuropathy. Cardiac involvement in autonomic neuropathies can cause symptomatic postural hypotension that results in the shortage of oxygen delivery to the hands and feet, which may induce numbness and tingling sensations. Amyloidosis patients can develop carpal tunnel syndrome due to amyloid deposits in the rigid carpal tunnel, causing the main nerve that feeds the hand to become compressed. The compressed nerve can cause numbness and tingling feelings in the fingers and thumb.