Amyloidosis sounds frightening when you first hear about it, and to be honest, it is. However, things become much clearer once you begin to understand how it’s handled. Physicians typically use three primary methods, each of which approaches the illness in a different way. While none of them are miracle cures, when combined, they can have a significant impact.
(1)Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy may sound frightening because most people associate it with cancer, but the goal is somewhat different when it comes to amyloidosis. In this case, the therapy aims to slow down the cells that initially produce the aberrant proteins.
Chemotherapy is essentially the process of trying to stop the malfunctioning machinery if you think of the body as a factory that unintentionally produces defective goods all the time.
Although it doesn’t reverse the harm that has already been done, it can prevent it from getting worse, which on its own gives patients a chance to stabilize.
2. Targeted Treatment
Targeted therapy is more akin to using a device that is aware of precisely what needs to be fixed. These medications target the particular process or protein that is causing issues rather than the entire body.
Compared to chemotherapy, it is a little more focused and serene. Additionally, patients frequently experience fewer side effects because it is more accurate. In certain instances, these therapies actually aid in lowering or at least delaying the accumulation of amyloid in the organs.
3. Transplanting organs
An organ may occasionally sustain such severe damage that it is no longer feasible to repair it. When that occurs, medical professionals may recommend a kidney, liver, or heart transplant.
Although a transplant doesn’t “fix” amyloidosis per se, it does give the patient a new beginning by replacing the failing organ. Following that, additional therapies are administered in the background to stop fresh amyloid from damaging the transplanted organ.
