What is cryoglobulinemia?
Cryoglobulinemia is a rare disease that develops due to the presence of high levels of abnormal proteins called cryoglobulins, in the blood. At cold temperatures, these proteins clump together and block blood vessels, which potentially causes a wide range of complications. There are several types of cryoglobulinemia that are classified on the basis of the type of abnormal protein that is present in the blood.
Cryoglobulins are proteins of a specific type called immunoglobulins or antibodies. Antibodies are molecules produced by B cells of the immune system and help destroy infectious organisms that attack blood and some other parts of the body. At low temperatures, cryoglobulins undergo a process called clotting, in which they clump together and create strong gel material. This process is irreversible. Not all antibodies are cryoglobulins; Most antibodies act as normal and do not knock at low temperatures.
Three types of cryoglobulinemia that is known aboutO that it exists as type I, type II and type III. The main difference between these types is the nature of cryoglobulin antibodies and factors that have made them develop. In most cases, type I is associated with cancer of the immune system or blood. Type II and type III usually develop in people who have chronic inflammatory condition such as hepatitis C or autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases that are caused by the dysfunction of the immune system include rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Cryoglobulinemia has many potential symptoms because the presence of cryoglobulins in the blood can affect almost any type of organ or tissue. This is because the clotting of proteins can block one of the blood vessels of the body, so the symptoms of the disease depend on the site or the places of blocking the blood vessels. However, certain effects are multiple effects than others.
between common symptoms of cryoglobulinemIE includes fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, breathing problems, skin ulceration and death of large spots of skin cells. These symptoms are relatively general and may evolve regardless of specific authorities or organs. Kidney disease and liver disease are relatively common consequences. These organs are most likely influenced by blood cryoglobulin levels due to their role in filtering waste products.
people who have low blood cryoglobulins can prevent the symptoms of the disease by preventing low temperatures. Mild to severe cases require immune suppressing drugs such as corticosteroids. In addition, treatment focuses on the treatment of the basic cause of the disease, be it hepatitis, autoimmune disorder or other disease. In most cases, the presence of cryoglobulins in the blood does not proceed to a fatal disease, but if the kidneys become disgrace, the prognosis deteriorates.