Amyloidosis, a rare health condition, is caused when deposits of a protein called amyloid builds up in the tissues and organs. Amyloid is an abnormal protein that is formed in the bone marrow and then deposited in various organs and tissues. Amyloidosis generally affects the heart, liver, kidneys, spleen, digestive tract, and nervous system. It is an incurable disease, but there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms.

1. Different types of amyloidosis
The different types of amyloidosis are caused due to different factors.

• Light chain amyloidosis (AL amyloidosis)
  Previously known as primary amyloidosis, this is the most common form occurring in the plasma cells. Plasma cells help in the production of antibodies which are extremely vital proteins required to fight infections. The deposition of amyloid protein in tissues is called light chains, which can be kappa or lambda. In this health disorder, the surplus amount of amyloid proteins can further damage one or more than one organ. It affects organs such as the kidneys, nerves, heart, and the gastrointestinal system.
• Autoimmune or AA amyloidosis
  Also known as secondary amyloidosis, this type of amyloidosis is caused due to deposition of A-proteins. This disease can affect organs such as the liver, adrenal glands, spleen, kidneys, and lymph nodes. It is also related to various other chronic diseases, such as inflammatory bowel diseases, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and tuberculosis.
• Hereditary amyloidosis
  As the name implies, this rare form of amyloidosis is carried on between generations. The protein produced in this type of health condition can affect the heart and eyes and can further cause numbness or a tingling sensation or pain in the arms. The most common subtype of this health disorder involves a protein called transthyretin (TTR).
• Dialysis-related amyloidosis
  This type of amyloidosis occurs in people who have had kidney failure for a prolonged time and are on dialysis. The amyloid proteins contain beta-2 microglobulin and they are often deposited in tendons and joints. This health condition causes stiffness, pain, and formation of fluid in joints. This can eventually result in other health complications, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

2. Risk factors of amyloidosis
The following factors can also increase the risks associated with the development of amyloidosis.

• Age
  Most of the people suffering from AL amyloidosis are diagnosed between the ages of sixty and seventy years.
• Family history
  If a person shares a family history of hereditary amyloidosis, they are at a higher risk of developing amyloidosis.
• Chronic diseases
  Patients suffering from chronic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases, are likely to experience the occurrence of AA amyloidosis.
• Kidney failure
  People who are on dialysis can experience a build-up of proteins in their blood, which can result in their deposition in tissues as dialysis cannot always remove large proteins from the blood. However, these conditions are less likely to occur with the help of modern techniques involved in dialysis.