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Understanding Periodic Paralysis Disorders

Periodic paralysis is a group of rare inherited disorders that cause periodic muscle weakness. There are two main forms - a hypokalaemic form where weakness corresponds with low potassium levels during attacks, and a hyperkalaemic form where weakness occurs despite high potassium levels. Symptoms generally begin early in life and follow periods of rest rather than exertion. Treatment focuses on potassium supplementation, carbohydrate administration, or medications like thiazides or acetazolamide to prevent attacks and chronic weakness.

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Mohamed Abbas
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47 views1 page

Understanding Periodic Paralysis Disorders

Periodic paralysis is a group of rare inherited disorders that cause periodic muscle weakness. There are two main forms - a hypokalaemic form where weakness corresponds with low potassium levels during attacks, and a hyperkalaemic form where weakness occurs despite high potassium levels. Symptoms generally begin early in life and follow periods of rest rather than exertion. Treatment focuses on potassium supplementation, carbohydrate administration, or medications like thiazides or acetazolamide to prevent attacks and chronic weakness.

Uploaded by

Mohamed Abbas
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

- symptoms begin early in life (before age 25) and follow

rest or sleep rather than exertion


- alertness is completely preserved during attacks &
power is normal between attacks
hypokalaemic form
- predominantly inherited but can also arise sporadically
- involvement of bulbar or respiratory muscles is rare but can occur
- hypokalaemia during attacks is generally mild but symptoms
clinical periodic -the term periodic paralysis describes a group
respond rapidly to potassium supplementation features paralysis general of rare primary inherited disorders that are mostly
autosomal dominant and cause periodic weakness
- acetazolamide provides effective prophylaxis
[created
hyperkalaemic form
- milder and almost always inherited by Paul - in general the underlying abnormality is
- virtually never requires intensive care Young pathogenesis a defect in a skeletal muscle ion channel
- responds to carbohydrate administration
- thiazides or acetazolamide provide effective prophylaxis 29/11/07]

- usually successful in both preventing attacks and


preventing chronic weakness which may develop treatment
after many years of attacks in untreated patients

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