PERVEZ MUSHARRAF'S DEATH: KEY FACTS OF AMYLOIDOSIS, THE RARE DISEASE HE SUFFERED FROM

Amyloidosis is a rare disease that strongly impacts the heart, kidneys, liver, spleen, nervous system, and digestive tract. It happens when a protein called amyloid builds up in organs hampering their functioning.

Amyloidosis comes in various forms including, AL amyloidosis (immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis which is also called primary amyloidosis and is the most common form. Another type is called AA amyloidosis or secondary amyloidosis. Other types of amyloidosis include Hereditary amyloidosis (familial amyloidosis), Localized amyloidosis as well as Wild-type amyloidosis

People suffering from amyloidosis may have symptoms like weight loss, severe weakness and fatigue, bloody diarrhea, shortness of breath, and swelling around legs and ankles following tingling and numbness in hands and feet. Another important symptom of Amyloidosis is the enlargement of the tongue as well as liver enlargement, loss of excessive proteins in urine, etc.

Amyloidosis can be early diagnosed with blood and urine test to find enlarged protein. It can also be diagnosed with biopsies such as abdominal fat pad biopsy, liver biopsy, or even bone marrow.

Amyloidosis has no cure but symptoms can be managed with medical and surgical treatment. Medical Treatment may include treatment with some cancer drugs via chemotherapy, blood thinners, and some targeted therapies which are there in the market. Surgical intervention may include dialysis, stem cell transplantation, and liver transplantation