Table: Effects of Amyloid Buildup - Merck Manuals Consumer Version

Effects of Amyloid Buildup

Organ or System Affected	Possible Consequences
Blood vessels	Easy bruising
Brain	Alzheimer disease Alzheimer Disease Alzheimer disease is a progressive loss of mental function, characterized by degeneration of brain tissue, including loss of nerve cells, the accumulation of an abnormal protein called beta-amyloid... read more
Digestive system	Constipation or diarrhea Enlarged tongue (macroglossia) Weight loss Poor nutrient absorption
Heart	Abnormal heart rhythms Overview of Abnormal Heart Rhythms Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) are sequences of heartbeats that are irregular, too fast, too slow, or conducted via an abnormal electrical pathway through the heart. Heart disorders are... read more (arrhythmias) Enlarged heart Overview of Cardiomyopathy Cardiomyopathy refers to progressive impairment of the structure and function of the muscular walls of the heart chambers. There are three main types of cardiomyopathy: Dilated cardiomyopathy... read more Heart failure Heart Failure (HF) Heart failure is a disorder in which the heart is unable to keep up with the demands of the body, leading to reduced blood flow, back-up (congestion) of blood in the veins and lungs, and/or... read more
Kidneys	Fluid accumulation in tissues, causing swelling (edema) Kidney failure Overview of Kidney Failure Kidney failure is the inability of the kidneys to adequately filter metabolic waste products from the blood. Kidney failure has many possible causes. Some lead to a rapid decline in kidney function... read more
Liver	Enlarged liver
Lungs and airway	Difficulty breathing Wheezing
Lymph nodes	Enlarged lymph nodes
Musculoskeletal system	Carpal tunnel syndrome Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful compression (pinching) of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. The cause of most cases of carpal tunnel syndrome is unknown... read more
Nervous system	Numbness Tingling Light-headedness
Skin	Bruises Nodules
Thyroid gland	Enlarged thyroid gland