Porphyria - Medtick
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Porphyria

What is it?

Haem is used in haemoglobin which helps to carry oxygen in our blood to different parts of our body.

  • In order to produce Haem it takes several stages and when one has a disorder of such pathways it is known as a rare condition called porphyria.

There are several different types of this condition depending on which pathway is affected.

They are described under two categories:

1. Acute Porphyrias

Types of porphyria:

2. Cutaneous (skin) Porphyrias

Types of porphyria:

Cause

  • Genetic disorder
  • Family history (when body not producing the red part of blood cells –heme)
  • Dieting
  • Fasting
  • Viral infections:
  • Smoking
  • Sun exposure
  • Menstrual hormonal conditions:
  • Alcohol

Illicit drugs

Attacks caused by Medication i.e.

Vitamins, herbals and minerals

Symptoms

Acute Porphyria

  • Severe stomach pain?
  • Pain in back?
  • Pain in legs?
  • Pain in arms?
  • Dark-red purple urine?
  • Constipation?
  • Nausea and vomiting?
  • Muscle weakness and numbness (nerve damage)?
  • Convulsions?
  • Hallucinations and paranoia?
  • Confused?
  • Fast beating heart (tachycardia) and abnormally (arrhythmias)?
  • High blood pressure?
  • Headaches?
  • Breathing difficulties?

Cutaneous (skin) Porphyria

When exposed to the sun or sunlamps:

  • Burning and itching skin?
  • Skin damage and blisters?
  • Swelling of the skin?
  • Pain?
  • Increased hair growth?
  • Darkening and thickening of the skin?
  • Liver disease (yellow eyes and skin, dark urine, pale faeces, pain in liver area)?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency

Do not wait, phone for an ambulance

The types of porphyria are:

Detailed Information

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