Amyloidosis is characterized as the gradual collection of abnormal protein produced by the bone marrow, which responds differently based on the organ or tissue it builds up around (i.e., heart, nervous system, kidney, liver, spleen, etc.). This protein is referred to as amyloid, which is where the condition gets its name. Treating amyloidosis is best in the earliest stages, as there is no cure, however, if left untreated it may lead to symptoms of joint pain, skin color changes, constipation, anemia, numbness in legs and feet, breathlessness, and tongue swelling, and at its worst, complete organ failure. 

As mentioned, patients will respond quite differently to amyloidosis based on the area in which the amyloid protein builds up. Risk factors for amyloidosis will also differ depending on the type of amyloidosis present, such as:

1. Primary amyloidosis
Primary amyloidosis, which is also commonly called immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis, effects the most patients with symptoms that strike areas such as the skin, heart, nerves, kidneys, and the liver when abnormal amyloid antibodies are produced by the bone marrow and the body cannot break them down. 

2. Dialysis-related amyloidosis
Dialysis-related amyloidosis strikes long term dialysis patients and is usually closely monitored in patients undergoing long term kidney dialysis. This type often crops up in the form of carpal tunnel syndrome, affecting the mobility in joints and tendons, causing chronic pain, swelling, and stiffness.

3. Secondary amyloidosis
Amyloidosis in the secondary form usually causes chronic inflammation in organs such as the liver, heart, intestines, or other areas of the digestive system. It’s also common in patients who already suffer from a type of inflammatory diseases (i.e., rheumatoid arthritis or heart disease).

4. Hereditary amyloidosis
Also commonly called familial amyloidosis, this type is (as the name suggests) hereditary in nature, meaning it’s passed down from relative to relative as a type of birth defect that eventually develops and affects organs such as the kidneys, liver, nervous system, or cardiovascular system.