Fabry disease symptoms can occur across the whole body
Fabry disease can affect many parts of the body, including the kidneys, heart, nervous system, skin, eyes, and more. The effects of Fabry are highly variable.
Kidneys
- Protein in the urine
- Decreased kidney function
- Kidney failure
Heart
- Irregular heartbeat (fast or slow)
- Heart attack or heart failure
- Enlarged heart
Brain
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- Stroke
Nervous System
- Nerve pain
- Intolerance to heat, cold, or exercise
- Burning in the hands and feet
- Vertigo/feeling dizzy
Skin
- Sweating less than normal or not at all
- Small, dark, red spots, mostly appearing between the belly button and upper thighs
Eyes
- A whorled pattern in the cornea
- Fabry cataracts
Ears
- Hearing loss, ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Gastrointestinal (GI)
- Nausea, vomiting, cramping, and diarrhea
- Pain/bloating after eating, feeling full after a small amount of food
- Constipation
Psychological
- Feelings of guilt, worry, depression, isolation, and/or fear
Lungs
- Wheezing
- Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
- Bronchitis
- Chronic cough
Others
- Fatigue—a deep feeling of tiredness
“As a kid, I can remember getting cold rags in the middle of the night, or going into a cool bath, because my feet were burning, and my hands were burning so bad.” – Rebecca, on her symptoms of Fabry disease. Remember, symptoms may not be the same for everyone.
Watch her full story >
Because Fabry disease has a wide range of symptoms in many parts of the body, every person’s experience with Fabry may be unique. It can cause many types of health issues that may get worse at different rates in different people and may ultimately affect lifespan. For this reason, many different healthcare providers may be involved in treating and monitoring people with Fabry disease.
Understanding Fabry Progression
See how the effects of Fabry can get worse over time, from cells, to organs, and to you.