hormonal and metabolic disorders
Acute Intermittent Porphyria
Symptoms of Acute Intermittent Porphyria
Many people never experience symptoms of acute intermittent porphyria. Other people may have only a few attacks over their lifetimes. However, some people have recurrent attacks. Many people have pain or other symptoms between attacks. Symptoms occur as attacks that usually last a few days but occasionally longer. Such attacks usually first appear after puberty. In some women, attacks develop during the second half of the Menstrual Cycle , likely triggered by the elevation of Abdominal painthat lasts for hours to days is the most common symptom. The pain can be so severe that doctors may mistakenly think that abdominal surgery is needed. Other digestive symptoms include nausea, vomiting, severe constipation, or diarrhea (rarely). Mental health symptoms,such as irritability, restlessness, insomnia, agitation, delirium, tiredness, and depression, are common. Nervous system symptomsare numerous. Nerves that control muscles can be affected, leading to weakness, usually beginning in the shoulders and arms. The weakness can progress to virtually all the muscles, including those involved in breathing. Tremors and seizures may develop. Other common symptoms include Rapid heart rate Elevated blood pressure Sweating Restlessness Difficulty sleeping Most of these symptoms, including the digestive ones, result from effects on the nervous system. Irregular heart rhythm is a dangerous complication during an attack. Recovery from symptoms may occur within a few days, although complete recovery from severe muscle weakness may take several months or years. In some people, symptoms of lesser intensity, such as fatigue, headache, back or thigh pain, insomnia, depression, or anxiety, linger. Attacks are rarely fatal. However, in a few people, attacks are disabling. Long-term complications of acute intermittent porphyria may include persistent muscle weakness, High Blood Pressure , 