Submitted by deb on Sun, 06/26/2011 – 00:00 A case study Originally published in Lifeline; Newsletter of The California Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians Christopher Fee, MD and Susan B. Promes, MD FACEP Alameda County California Medical Center, Highland General Hospital Acute weakness is a common patient complaint in the emergency department with a…
Submitted by deb on Tue, 06/28/2011 – 02:56 The Importance to Physicians of Support Groups for Rare Conditions The Genetic Drift Vol. 8: Winter, 1992 Consumer Issues in Genetics Services by Jack Dolcourt, M.D. Neonatologist Support groups have traditionally helped fill the void between the medical system and the daily grind of the everyday world. Support groups…
Submitted by deb on Wed, 07/20/2011 – 19:51 Communication is key: Stephen Wilkins, MPH, writes of improving practice management through improved patient/physician communication and its impact on care, in Mind the Gap. Practical aspects in the management of hypokalemic periodic paralysis. Author: Jacob O Levitt MD; Management considerations in hypokalemic periodic paralysis include accurate diagnosis, potassium dosage for acute attacks,…
Submitted by deb on Sun, 07/03/2011 – 23:34 When I’m in the middle of an abortive attack meal planning goes right out the window. I can look at a fridge and pantry full of food and not be able to figure out what to do with any of it. The only way to avoid feeding the family…
Submitted by deb on Sun, 07/17/2011 – 21:31 by Elson M. Haas, M.D. Potassium is a very significant body mineral, important to both cellular and electrical function. It is one of the main blood minerals called “electrolytes” (the others are sodium and chloride), which means it carries a tiny electrical charge (potential). Potassium is the primary positive…
Submitted by deb on Mon, 06/27/2011 – 20:54 Acetazolamide (aka Diamox) is frequently prescribed as therapy for the periodic paralyses. While most patients take this drug without incident it can interact with other drugs. Physicians should be aware of potential problems which might arise. Acetazolamide can decrease excretion of dextroamphetamine, anticholinergics, mecamylamine, ephedrine, mexiletine, or quinidine because…
Submitted by deb on Mon, 06/27/2011 – 02:57 Giorgio Buzzi, MD, Neurologist Buzzi G, Mostacci B, Sancisi E, Cirignotta F. Sleep complaints in Periodic Paralyses: a web survey. Functional Neurology 2001, 17 (3). From the Sleep Medicine Unit – Dept. of Neurology S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital – University of Bologna, Italy. SUMMARY Section 1. Background: K+ and REM sleep homeostasis….
Submitted by deb on Wed, 09/07/2011 – 03:04 For your convenience, arranged by topic, a “shelf” of journal articles on the periodic paralyses. If you have a favorite link to suggest please pass it along. Textbook and Reviews Meola G, Hanna M G and Fontaine B. Diagnosis and Treatment of Muscle Channelopathies. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2009;80:360–365. Dr Michael…
Submitted by deb on Thu, 07/26/2012 – 17:00 PLoS One. 2012; 7(7): e40235.Published online 2012 July 10. Splicing of the rSlo Gene Affects the Molecular Composition and Drug Response of Ca2+-Activated K+ Channels in Skeletal Muscle Maria Maddalena Dinardo,#1 Giulia Camerino,#1 Antonietta Mele,1 Ramon Latorre,2 Diana Conte Camerino,1 and Domenico Tricarico1,* The molecular composition and drug responses…
Submitted by deb on Sat, 06/25/2011 – 19:16 What happens during an attack of Periodic Paralysis? People with Periodic Paralysis (PP) have episodes in which their muscles become weak or paralyzed in response to variations in the amount of potassium in their blood. These variations occur during sleep, they may result from food the person has eaten,…