Periodic Paralysis
Periodic paralysis indicates a rare disease that causes attacks of
weakness on a muscle or on a group of muscles. The attacks are
infrequent and the muscles work at a normal level after an attack. This
condition may be an inherited disease because it occurs in families.
The two most important types of periodic paralysis are hyperkalemia and
hypokalemia. They are governed by the level of potassium in blood. High
levels of potassium are present in hyperkalemia and low levels of
potassium are present in hypokalemia.
The diagnosis of periodic paralysis sometimes can be made by a
doctor who talks to a patient to get a description of the attack. The
potassium level in the blood must be checked and, if possible, during
an attack. Other checks should be done to determine whether some
underlying disease might be causing the fluctuations of potassium in
the blood levels. Many conditions can trigger an attack of
periodic paralysis - a heavy meal of carbohydrates, a day of strenuous
exercise that causes muscle weakness, a day of fasting, and
hyperthyroidism.
Drugs can control periodic paralysis. Avoiding strenuous exercise and
heavy meals of carbohydrates will help prevent this condition,
too. Regardless of the treatment, a healthy lifestyle of proper
nutrition and appropriate exercise will not only help to prevent and
cure periodic paralysis, it will benefit any health
problem. For more information on a healthy lifestyle, view my
articles at no charge on “Keys to the Century Mark” and “Alzheimer’s”
with a click on the link below.
