Who gets amyloidosis?
Amyloidosis is rare, affecting about 8 persons per million annually. Its cause is not known. It can affect anyone, but the majority of people who get amyloidosis are over the age of 40. Primary amyloidosis is not contagious or inherited. It is not known how many people have this disease. About 10 percent of patients who have multiple myeloma (a form of bone marrow cancer), develop amyloidosis. Although amyloid is an abnormal protein, diet and the amount of protein you eat play no role in the development of the disease. Also, there is no recognized link between amyloidosis and stress or occupation. What are the symptoms of amyloidosis? Symptoms of amyloidosis depend on the organs it affects. The wide range of symptoms often makes amyloidosis difficult to diagnose. You may have no symptoms. Symptoms can include: • Swelling of ankles and legs • Weakness • Weight loss • Shortness of breath • Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet • Diarrhea • Severe fatigue • Enlarged tongue • Feeling o
