Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has been hospitalised for the last three weeks due to a dangerous disease called Amyloidosis. According to the doctors, his body organs are malfunctioning and there are no chances of recovery. And this is one of the most common symptoms of Amyloidosis.
It’s a very brutal disease that attacks our body organs including the heart, kidneys and liver. There is no cure for it. We can only manage its symptoms via treatment. If you are also curious to know about this rare and dangerous disease, then check out the full details about it below.
What is Amyloidosis?
via: hudsonvalleysinuscenter.com
According to the theory, Amyloidosis is a very rare disease that is caused by an abnormal protein known as Amyloid. When this protein builds up in our body organs, it affects their shape and interferes with functioning. Normally, it is not found in the human body but can be formed by different types of protein.
The organs that Amyloid affects may include the heart, liver, kidneys, spleen or nervous system. Some of them may improve by the treatment but some may lead us to life-threatening organ failure.
Also Read: What is Alopecia Areata? Will Smith’s Wife Jada is Affected by Horrible Hair Loss Disease
Symptoms of Amyloidosis
via: Microbiome Research
Usually, its symptoms depend upon our affected organs and you may not experience them until the condition became serious. But for the first recognition, you may consider these signs:
- Swelling in your legs and ankles
- Fatigue and weakness
- Problem in breathing
- General excretion problems
- Not able to lie flat in bed due to heavy breathing
- Enlarged tongue with swelling
- Changes in skin colour
- Decreased red blood cells count
- Weak hand grip
- Instant weight loss
- Diarrhoea
- Irregular heartbeat
If you are experiencing one of these symptoms, then you must be at a high risk of Amyloidosis. See your doctor immediately.
Also Read: What Is Oil Pulling, Its Benefits And How To Do It?
Types and Causes of Amyloidosis
via: Pen Medicine
There are many causes that can lead us to Amyloid deposits in our body. Some of them are hereditary and others may be passed by outside factors like inflammatory disease. Here are the types of this disease.
AL Amyloidosis: It is the most common type of this disease which is also known as primary Amyloidosis. The common cause of this type is the deposit of amyloids in different organs of our body. Usually, it affects our heart, kidneys, nerves and liver.
Also Read: Crohn’s Disease: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Management & Treatment
AA Amyloidosis: It is a secondary type of Amyloidosis which is usually caused by an inflammatory disease like ulcerative colitis. Mostly, it affects the kidneys, spleen, or liver. But the best thing is that it can be prevented by some inflammatory treatments
Dialysis-related Amyloidosis: This disease is more common among people who have been on dialysis for more than 5 years. Generally, this form is the result of beta-2 microglobulin deposit in our body which affects bones, joints and tendons.
Hereditary Amyloidosis: Usually, it happens in a very rare case, but this disease can also be passed by our family. If anyone from your family is affected by this, then there are some chances that your liver may start making abnormal proteins like transthyretin (TTR). This condition may affect your liver, heart, nerves and kidneys.
Organ-specific Amyloidosis: It is a condition when a single organ in our body is affected by Amyloid, including the skin.