Porphyria is a medical term for a group of rare disorders which are passed down through families, in which an important part of hemoglobin, called heme is not properly made.
Quick Facts
Quick Facts
- A medical disorder of Heme
- Heme is found in myoglobin, a protein found in certain muscles
- Heme is found in your blood and bone marrow
- A group of genetic disorders
- May affect the skin or nervous system
- The nervous system type is known as acute Porphyria
- Porphyria can be hard to diagnose
- Attack usually develops over hours or days
- Inherited disorders
- Gene abnormalities
- Enzyme deficiency in the liver.
- Drugs such as barbiturates, tranquilizers, birth control pills, and sedatives
- Chemicals
- Fasting
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol, especially heavy drinking
- Various infections
- Excess iron in the body
- Emotional and physical stress
- Menstrual hormones
- Exposure to the sun
- Cramping or abdominal pain
- Light sensitivity
- Rashes
- Blistering
- Skin scarring
- Problems with the nervous system and muscles such as seizures, mental disturbances, nerve damage
- Sudden attacks
- Vomiting and constipation
- Heat sensations
- Muscle weakness or paralysis
- Numbness or tingling
- Pain in the arms, legs or back
- Personality changes
- Low blood pressure
- Severe electrolyte imbalances
- Shock
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