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Porphyrias are a group of rare disorders passed down through families, in which an important part of hemoglobin, called heme, is not made properly. Heme is also found in myoglobin, a protein found in certain muscles. |
Basic Info
Symptoms
Porphyrias involve three major symptoms: Abdominal pain or cramping (only in some forms of the disease; Light sensiti...
Causes
Normally, the body makes heme in a multi-step process. Porphyrins are made during several steps of this process. Pati...
Tests
Your doctor will perform a physical exam, which includes listening to your heart. You may have a fast heart rate (tac...
Treatments
Some of the medicines used to treat a sudden (acute) attack of porphyria may include: Hematin given through a vein (i...
Alternative Therapies
Acute porphyria attacks can be life-threatening events, so attempts at self-treatment can be dangerous. Alternative t...
Complications
Coma; Gallstones; Lung failure; Loss of movement (paralysis) that gets worse; Scarring of the skin.
Prevention
Genetic counseling may be of benefit to prospective parents with a family history of any type of porphyria.
Doctor Specialties
Seek medical attention as soon as you have signs of an acute attack. Talk to your doctor about your risk for this con...
Basic Info
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