Amyloidosis occurs due to a buildup of amyloid proteins in the body. Along with treatment, complementary therapy can help with symptoms. Some examples include movements, such as yoga, sleep therapy, and a balanced diet.
Amyloidosis is a rare disease caused by a
Symptoms can include:
- higher cholesterol levels and other fats in your blood
- too much protein in the urine
- swelling in areas of your body
- weight loss
- low blood pressure
- anemia
A doctor can diagnose amyloidosis with several tests. These include:
- lab tests, such as a urine analysis or blood test
- imaging tests, which can involve an X-ray or MRI
- genetic testing
To prevent the progression of amyloidosis and the damage it can cause, your doctor can recommend a treatment plan. The type of treatment will depend on the kind of amyloidosis you have. It will likely include medication, such as chemotherapy or corticosteroids. It could also involve a procedure, such as a transplant or surgery. Still, treatment for amyloidosis doesn’t have to stop with conventional medication.
There are many types of amyloidosis, and the symptoms change depending on the organ it affects. Here is some general information about how you may be able to address some of the issues.
Natural and complementary therapies can ease symptoms and improve well-being. Here are nine ways to get you started.
Amyloidosis can cause fatigue and weakness, so the last thing you may want to do is exercise. Plus, cardiac issues can make intense workouts out of the question. Running and other high intensity exercises can be challenging with amyloidosis, but this doesn’t mean you have to stop moving completely.
It’s best to stick with light or moderate intensity exercises. Anything that keeps you moving without being too strenuous can help.
You can talk with your doctor about activities like:
- tai chi
- yoga
- weight training
- walking programs
By exercising regularly, you can help fight pain and fatigue related to amyloidosis. The key, though, is to exercise safely. Finding a workout buddy can help.
Experiencing daytime fatigue can make it difficult to sleep at night, especially if you take a lot of naps. If you have insomnia, it can make fatigue during the day more difficult to manage. Pain and discomfort in the middle of the night can exacerbate this vicious cycle.
If you’re having trouble with insomnia and daytime fatigue, talk with your doctor about sleep therapy. They might refer you to a sleep clinic or healthcare professional for further assessment and education.
Practices like meditation and deep breathing exercises before bedtime can also help you fall asleep more easily. There are also several sleep hygiene techniques you can try at home.
Reducing the amount of salt in your diet can help if fluid buildup in the body causes swelling.
With amyloidosis, the kidneys may not efficiently retain protein, and the heart’s ability
Too much salt can exacerbate such issues. Your doctor may recommend following a low salt diet to help with swelling. This can also protect your heart and kidneys from further damage.
People living with amyloidosis often don’t receive adequate nutrients from food. This may be due to tongue swelling, difficulty swallowing, loss of appetite, or intestinal dysfunction.
While occasionally skipping a meal won’t necessarily cause harm, not eating enough over weeks and months can lead to malnutrition. Because of this, amyloidosis can also lead to unintentional weight loss.
If eating traditional meals isn’t appealing to you, you may want to talk with your doctor about meal replacement shakes or smoothies. This can help you get the nutrients your body needs to maintain energy and brain and muscle function.
While there’s no clear amyloidosis diet, dietary modifications have helped some people feel better.
There isn’t much research in this area, but a balanced diet can be helpful in general. This includes lean protein, healthy fats, fiber, and fruits and vegetables.
Also, if you’re experiencing bowel symptoms, it’s a good idea to refrain from coffee, alcohol, and spices. These can all aggravate a delicate gastrointestinal tract.
Some studies have examined the potential effects of tea on amyloidosis. A 2021 study on amyloid aggregation and neurodegenerative diseases examined the benefits of green tea. The research cited an older study that found green tea reduced cardiac-related amyloidosis symptoms and amyloid plaques.
Still, more research is necessary to determine the benefits.
While it’s important to drink lots of water, you may need to be careful not to drinktoomuch water. This is especially true if you have heart problems related to amyloidosis.
For cardiac amyloidosis, it’s recommended to limit fluid intake to no more than 1.5 liters or less per day. This is about 50 ounces or just over 6 cups per day. By maintaining this balance of fluid intake, you may notice reduced symptoms of leg swelling. This may also help with shortness of breath.
Diuretics (also called water pills) are available by prescription and can help alleviate amyloidosis-related fluid retention.
Check with your doctor first whether diuretics are a good fit and how much you should take. You may notice significant improvements in lower extremity swelling, especially when you combine itwith a low salt diet.
Between pain and swelling, it may sometimes seem like your feet can’t catch a break.
Even if you wear comfortable footwear, you may still experience pain and discomfort. A foot massage can help alleviate your symptoms by increasing blood flow.
If you’re not keen on having other people touch your feet, try giving yourself a foot massage instead.
Research has shown acupuncture can be beneficial for amyloidosis symptoms. A 2021 study of mice found it improves cognitive and memory function and boosts mental health.
If you’re interested in trying acupuncture, talk with your doctor about it would be a good fit.
Even if you take medications or undergo other treatments for amyloidosis, complementary therapies can help. When used in conjunction with conventional medication, these therapies can make it easier to help manage your symptoms and medication side effects.
Consider talking with your doctor about these therapies to help improve your quality of life.