What is hypokalaemic periodic paralysis?

Hypocalemic periodic paralysis is a disorder related to periodic problems with weakness of muscles and sometimes slight paralysis. Individuals are usually born with disorder, although symptoms may not manifest only much later in life. Most cases are inherited and require only one parent with a defective gene to give the disorder to the child. Hypokalemic periodic paralysis is very unusual and affects only about one of every 100,000 individuals. Asian men with thyroid disorders generally have a higher level of risk than other groups. Their bodies process potassium inappropriately in relation to muscle function and use them very quickly. When potassium levels fall too low, muscle weakness is generally episode. The length of the episode may vary a bit. Sometimes people will suffer only a few hours, but symptoms may also persist for days.

Hypocalemic periodic paralysis may attack several rvarious muscle sets. Legs and arms are generally more often affected than other areas. The face muscles can also be weakened along with smaller muscles in their hands and feet. Some patients have problems with swallowing or speaking and breathing, and this is particularly dangerous. Sometimes weakness is accompanied by the overall pain of muscles, but in other cases it is generally painless. Episodes may deteriorate as a person ages, and over time some weaknesses may begin to persist between episodes.

The diet was implicated as a trigger that generally causes a seizure of muscle weakness. In some cases, salt was accused, along with excessive indulgence in carbohydrate foods. Some episodes seem to be running when alcoholic beverages are taken over, and some experts think that people with a hypokaal periodic paralysis should completely avoid alcohol. It seems that most of the outbreaks occur after one wakes up from sleep and almost never happens when it isMan up and active. The exact reason for this is not known.

The most common medical approach is to provide the patient a drug inhibitor of the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, such as Diamox or Daranide. These drugs can help one keep a good balance of potassium. Some diuretics can also be used because it forces the kidneys to lose smaller potassium. Once the patient feels symptoms of the beginning of the episode, he will generally have some form of potassium tablet in an effort to shorten the process.