Health Insights

If you or a loved one has familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), massage therapy may help reduce the impact of peripheral neuropathy symptoms and lower the sense of stress that this progressive genetic disease can cause. What is FAP? FAP is a rare disease caused by mutations in the…

Having a chronic progressive disorder such as familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) can be both stressful and isolating.  Recreational therapy is a form of treatment that may provide both physical and social benefits to people with FAP. What is FAP? FAP is a rare genetic disorder characterized by progressive damage…

Familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) is a progressive disease caused by deposits of amyloid fibrils in nerve cells and organs. As a result, patients experience severe peripheral neuropathy, cardiac dysfunction, extreme weight loss, and muscle wasting, among other symptoms. These symptoms can cause a lot of stress for patients on…

Finding out you have a rare genetic disease such as familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) can be unsettling, especially if you live alone or planning to do so. There are steps that you can take, however, to help maintain your independence. Learn about your disease The first step is to…

People with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) may well have problems with their kidneys. Without treatment, these can lead to serious complications. How does FAP cause problems with kidneys? FAP is a rare genetic disease caused by a mutation in the TTR gene. This gene contains the…

If your doctor suspects you have familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), you will be asked to undergo diagnostic tests to confirm the presence of amyloid deposits in your body. Doctors then often use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine the deposits’ effect on your nervous system, heart,…

A majority of familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) patients report problems with their digestive system. Here is some information about how FAP affects the digestive system, and tips on how to manage complications. How does FAP affect the digestive system? FAP is a rare genetic disorder caused by a mutation…

Fatigue is defined as extended periods of exhaustion or lack of energy and can be a symptom for patients with neuromuscular disorders such as familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). Fatigue can be physical, mental, or emotional.

A tissue biopsy is one of several tests doctors may use to confirm a diagnosis of familiar amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), a rare disease characterized by the buildup of protein aggregates (clumps) in tissue and around nerve cells. What is a tissue biopsy? Doctors will remove a small piece…

Familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) is a rare and complex disease that affects multiple systems in the body. Many physicians are unfamiliar with it and its treatment. This could present a major problem, particularly in a medical emergency. Therefore, if you have FAP, developing and maintaining a treatment plan…