Submitted by deb on Fri, 07/01/2011 – 22:01 When evaluating patients for periodic paralysis it is vital to obtain accurate results from blood draws. Because potassium levels which vary only a fraction of a point may be enough to trigger weakness in some patients, the lab may need to be made aware of specialized procedures which should…
Submitted by deb on Sat, 07/02/2011 – 20:58 This chart allows comparison of the forms of primary periodic paralysis, symptoms, clinical and cardiac signs, effect of potassium, triggers and therapies. Form Effect of K+ Age at onset Triggers Relieves Attack Length Myotonia? Hypertrophy Weakness between attacks EKG during attacks Therapies Thyrotoxic HypoKalemic Periodic Paralysis Relieves weakness At…
Do you suspect that you might have periodic paralysis? The periodic paralyses are a rare group of disorders and there are many conditions which cause an imbalance in serum potassium. So how does the doctor tell the difference between paralysis or weakness caused by an ion channelopathy and any of the other numerous disorders, conditions…
Submitted by deb on Sat, 11/19/2011 – 04:20 Anticipating the Baby Expectant mothers and their doctors can take the secure thought that hundreds of women with periodic paralysis have been members of our Listserv since 1995, and an overwhelming majority of them have been mothers. To date not a single one has been unable to care for her…
Submitted by ian on Tue, 06/21/2011 – 22:55 The periodic paralyses are a group of rare inherited disorders that cause temporary episodes of muscle weakness or paralysis. Periodic Paralysis is found in all races and in both sexes. Some patients have their first attack within minutes of birth, but a few don’t have symptoms until they are…
Submitted by deb on Tue, 04/12/2016 – 22:54 Adverse reactions to anaesthesia, including life-threatening events, are a serious concern for patients with Periodic Paralysis Disorders. Many of our patients report serious events associated with anesthesia and side effects which may linger for days to months. There is rarely time for a surgical team to comb through journals…
Submitted by deb on Tue, 07/03/2012 – 18:45 Measuring quality of life impairment in skeletal muscle channelopathies. Eur J Neurol. 2012 May 19. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2012.03751.x. [Epub ahead of print] Sansone VA, Ricci C, Montanari M, Apolone G, Rose M, Meola G; INQoL Group. SourceDepartment of Neurology, University of Milan, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Milan, Italy. Abstract Link to…
Submitted by deb on Sat, 07/02/2011 – 18:02 Introduction: The major features found in all the periodic paralyses are: 1. Attacks almost always begin before the age of 25, though occasionally later in life. ATS patients can develop first symptoms at any age. 2. Serum potassium fluctuates shortly before an attack, but serum potassium level will normalize…
The Compound Muscle Action Potential (CMAP) test (aka the Exercise EMG) is used to diagnose the periodic paralyses. When done correctly this test is reported to positively identify 70%-80% of patients. The CMAP test is based on the observation that patients with Periodic Paralysis have a greater than normal increase in the compound muscle action…
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,…