Symptoms Linked To Porphyria

Porphyria is the name given to a group of disorders caused by a buildup of porphyrin-producing chemicals in the body. Porphyrins are necessary for hemoglobin to function. This protein, found in the red blood cells, is responsible for carrying oxygen to tissues and binding iron. However, having too-high levels of porphyrins has the potential to cause significant issues. Acute porphyria tends to affect an individual's nervous system, while cutaneous porphyria affects their skin. The symptoms vary widely depending on the kind of porphyria and its severity. Most types of porphyria are passed from a parent to their child through an abnormal gene. The condition doesn't have a cure, but there are lifestyle changes that can help avoid triggering symptoms.

Constipation Or Diarrhea

When patients have an acute porphyria, one of the common symptoms is constipation or diarrhea. There may also be a number of other digestive issues. Patients might experience severe pain in the abdomen, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms tend to appear quickly and might be severe. After an attack, the symptoms tend to improve slowly over a few days or weeks. The most common type of acute porphyria is acute intermittent porphyria. This type occurs when there is an enzyme deficiency that leads to an excess of porphobilinogen and delta-aminolevulinic acid.

Muscle Pain And Tingling

Muscle pain and tingling are common symptoms of acute porphyria. The tingling may be a 'pins and needles' feeling similar to what an individual might experience with poor blood circulation. There may also be numbness in the limbs. Muscles may become weak or paralyzed entirely because of the nervous system issues. Neurological muscle weakness is caused when the signals between the brain and muscles are weakened or interrupted. A number of factors might lead to attacks, such as low-calorie diets, alcohol, and medications. Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle can also play a part. If an individual has other illnesses, infections, or is exposed to organic solvents, they may be more susceptible to an attack.

Heart Palpitations

Heart palpitations are a common cardiovascular symptom associated with acute porphyria. These may include irregular or rapid heartbeats for no known reason. Palpitations can typically be felt by a patient while they're happening. Heart palpitations can be caused by a number of different conditions, porphyria being just one of them. The most common presentations are skipping heartbeats, fluttering in the heart, pounding in the chest, or a feeling the heart is 'flip-flopping.'

Patients may feel palpitations in their neck and throat in addition to the chest. When palpitations aren't caused by a medical condition like porphyria, they're usually related to medications, stress, or exercise. If an individual experiences palpitations often, they should talk to a doctor to make sure they don't have a more serious cardiovascular or neurological issue at play.

High Blood Pressure

Individuals with acute porphyria may experience high blood pressure. In cases involving acute intermittent porphyria, many patients don't develop high blood pressure until several years after the first symptoms occur. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is considered a complication of the disease. Another complication that may occur after living with the disease for years is kidney damage, which can lead to kidney failure. Patients may also be at an increased risk of developing liver cancer. Hypertension occurs when blood causes too much force against the walls of the arteries. The condition is common and doesn't always signify porphyria. In many cases, hypertension is caused by a narrowing in the arteries.

Confusion Or Disorientation

Acute porphyria causes a number of neurological symptoms. It's common for patients to experience mental changes like confusion or disorientation. There may also be anxiety, paranoia, or hallucinations. Sometimes differentiating neurological conditions from mental health conditions can be difficult, especially when the neurological issues mimic the symptoms of disorders like schizophrenia.

The confusion and disorientation may present similarly to dementia and other memory-related illnesses. Patients may become confused about where they are, who others are, or what the general time is. The confusion and disorientation may come and go in episodes. Since disorientation and confusion are signs of potentially serious brain issues, it's important to have them evaluated by a physician as soon as possible.