Porphyrias : Symptoms

Healthline's Premium Tools

Pill Finder
Search by color, shape and markings. click here
Drug Interaction Checker
Check any 2 drugs for interactions. click here
Drug Compare
Compare any two drugs side by side. click here
Healthline Part D Plan Selector Medicare Part D
Medicare's drug plans are subsidized by the US federal government and offered through insurers.
Advertisement
Marketplace
Porphyrias involve three major symptoms: Abdominal pain or cramping (occurs in only some forms of the disease; Light sensitivity causing rashes (photodermatitis; Problems with the nervous and muscular systems. Attacks can occur suddenly, usually w...
Source:ADAM
Date:April 5, 2007
Abdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.
Source:ADAM
Date:April 25, 2008
Antispasmodic drugs relieve cramps or spasms of the stomach, intestines, and bladder. Purpose Antispasmodic drugs have been used to treat stomach cramps.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
New and severe abdominal pain always needs to be closely evaluated by a doctor. It is frequently a sign of serious illness.
Source:StayWell
Repeated episodes of abdominal pain can arise from a variety of medical causes, including some serious conditions. Everyone who has unexplained abdominal pain requires a medical evaluation by a doctor.
Source:StayWell
Most of the time, children with mild abdominal pain are not seriously ill; the symptoms go away in a day or two and can be managed at home. However, if your child has severe abdominal pain or has a bellyache along with frequent vomiting, you should contact your child's pediatrician.
Source:StayWell
Abdominal pain is very common in children, and in many cases there’s no serious cause. But stomach pain can sometimes point to a serious problem, such as appendicitis, so it is important to know when to seek help.
Source:StayWell
Nonspecific back pain refers to pain in the back due to an unknown cause.
Source:ADAM
Date:May 12, 2008
Back pain may occur in the upper, middle, or lower back; it is most often experienced in the lower back. It may originate from the bones and ligaments forming the spine, the muscles and tendons supporting the back, the nerves that exit the spinal column, or even the internal organs.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders
Instead of looking for a quick fix, try to develop a longer view. Healing takes time and is a gradual process. By doing daily stretching and stress-management exercises, the time it takes to heal your back will be shortened.
Source:StayWell
Four out of five adults suffer back pain sometime in their lives, experts say. And most of that back pain is in the lower back. That's because the low back bears most of the weight and is the most common site of poor posture.
Source:StayWell
As your body changes during pregnancy, your back must work in new ways. This can be painful if your back isn’t prepared.
Source:StayWell
Back pain has many sources. It can originate in the joints, muscles, or ligaments of the back itself or be caused by problems in other parts of the body.
Source:StayWell
These exercises will strengthen your back and buttocks muscles.
Source:StayWell
Ice reduces muscle pain and swelling. It helps most during the first 24 to 48 hours after an injury.
Source:StayWell
More than half of American adults seek medical treatment for back pain at some point in their lives.
Source:StayWell
Up to eight in 10 Americans suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. For most people, back pain resolves, but for 5 to 10 percent, low back pain becomes a chronic condition.
Source:StayWell
The Consumer Product Safety Commission found that in one year, more than 10,000 children ages 5 to 14 see doctors with backpack-related complaints.
Source:StayWell
Smoking damages your arteries, and it’s thought that the damaged arteries in the discs and joints in your back may lead to pain and injury.
Source:StayWell
Think through each move before you make it, so you'll use the right muscles for the job. If you practice these safe moves now, they may come naturally to you by the time your baby's born.
Source:StayWell
People who work in certain occupations, such as nursing, are likely to have back pain. But so can folks who work in an office every day if they don’t take proactive steps to protect their backs.
Source:StayWell
Back pain is a common complaint: Nearly everyone will have low back pain that interferes with work or daily activities at some point in his or her life.
Source:StayWell
To heal your back and make your spine healthy, it's essential to build up and nurture the back muscles. This is accomplished by systematic stretching of not only the muscles in the back, but the other muscles in the body as well, since virtually all muscles in the body affect the back in one way or another.
Source:StayWell
Back pain is something you don't want to repeat. Recovering properly from a back injury and taking preventive measures can help you reduce your risk of going through it again.
Source:StayWell
Four out of five people will experience back pain at some point in their lives.
Source:StayWell
Learning the proper ways to bend, lift, and carry objects may help relieve back strain. It will also help you protect your back after your baby is born. Remember, if you’re having trouble protecting your back, it’s okay to ask the people around you for help!
Source:StayWell
Back pain can be caused by many illnesses and conditions, including stress or injury, being overweight, improper lifting, pregnancy, and diseases such as fibromyalgia and arthritis.
Source:StayWell
Your back is important to almost every move you make, but you probably won't realize that until you hurt it.
Source:StayWell
If the pain occurs because of an accident or injury, or fever is present, you should see your health care provider immediately. Pain not accompanied by fever or not associated with an accident or injury may not need immediate treatment.
Source:StayWell
Before trying these exercises, talk to your healthcare provider to make sure they are safe for you. Ask your healthcare provider how many times to do each exercise.
Source:StayWell
If you have loss of bowel or bladder control, seek emergency help at once. Paralysis of the bowel and bladder could result if not attended to promptly.
Source:StayWell
Did you know that standing, sitting, or lying in certain ways can lead to back pain? To ease pain, use positions that support your body comfortably.
Source:StayWell
Before trying these exercises, talk to your healthcare provider to make sure they are safe for you. Ask your healthcare provider how many times to do each exercise.
Source:StayWell
The cause of most back pain cannot be identified specifically, and is likely due to a conbination of factors. Imaging tests are not very useful and do not improve the outcome of treatment.
Source:StayWell
Is back pain in children common? What should you do if your child has back/low back pain?
Source:StayWell
You likely position yourself differently now than you did before you were pregnant. Did you know that standing, sitting, or lying in certain ways can lead to back pain? To ease pain, use positions that support your body comfortably.
Source:StayWell
A vesicle is a small fluid-filled blister ranging in size from a pinpoint to 5 or 10 millimeters in diameter. As a rule, the term vesicle is used to describe a small blister, while the term bulla is used to describe a larger blister.
Source:ADAM
Date:April 12, 2007
Blisters are small, raised lesions where fluid has collected under the skin. They may be caused by an allergic reaction, burns , frostbite, or by excessive friction or trauma to the skin.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
Detailed information on blisters, including cause, first-aid, and treatment
Source:StayWell
Detailed information on blisters, including cause, first-aid, and treatment
Source:StayWell
Detailed information on blisters, including cause, first-aid, and treatment
Source:StayWell
Detailed information on blisters, including cause, first-aid, and treatment
Source:StayWell
Describes the most common foot disorders, from bunions to foot fungus. Includes tips on how to keep your feet fit and functioning.
Source:StayWell
Blood in your urine, or hematuria, can be classified as microscopic or gross. Microscopic hematuria is when there is very little blood in the urine and it can only be seen with a microscope. Gross hematuria is when there is enough blood in the urine that you can see it with the naked eye (usually it turns toilet water pale pink or bright red, or you may just see spots of blood in the water after urinating).
Source:ADAM
Date:July 23, 2007
What Is Hematuria?Blood in your urine is a condition known ashematuria. 
Source:StayWell
Detailed information on hematuria, including cause, diagnosis, and treatment
Source:StayWell
A wide range of problems can lead to blood in the urine. Some of the most common causes—such as kidney or bladder stones, enlargement of the prostate, and infection—are often easily treated.
Source:StayWell
I have been running for 10 years. Just recently, I started seeing blood in my urine just after running. What could cause this?
Source:StayWell
Seeing blood in your urine can be a scary thing. This guide will walk you through several questions about your symptoms. Based on your answers, you will learn about the causes of the blood in your urine and what actions you should take.
Source:StayWell
Urinary tract infections, kidney stones and prostate problems are common reasons for this symptom. Less commonly, blood in the urine can indicate a more serious condition.
Source:StayWell
Bowel movements normally occur at approximately the same time each day. The feces (stool) itself should be soft enough that it can be passed without straining.
Source:HealthLine
Date:September 30, 2007
Constipation refers to infrequent or hard stools, or difficulty passing stools. Constipation may involve pain during the passage of a bowel movement, inability to pass a bowel movement after straining or pushing for more than 10 minutes, or no bowel movements after more than 3 days. Infants who are still exclusively breastfed may go 7 days without a stool.
Source:ADAM
Date:May 3, 2007
Constipation is an acute or chronic condition in which bowel movements occur less often than usual or consist of hard, dry stools that are painful or difficult to pass. Bowel habits vary, but an adult who has not had a bowel movement in three days or a child who has not had a bowel movement in four days is considered constipated.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Detailed information on constipation, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
Source:StayWell
Contrary to popular myth, it is not necessary for you to be "regular" (have daily bowel movements) for your bowel pattern to be normal. If your bowel movements are so infrequent that they cause you discomfort, or if bowel movements are an effort for you, then you are experiencing constipation.
Source:StayWell
Detailed information on constipation, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
Source:StayWell
Detailed information on constipation, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
Source:StayWell
Detailed information on constipation, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
Source:StayWell
Oncology: Controlling ConstipationConstipation(difficulty passing stool) is a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Constipation can be caused by the medications you are taking.
Source:StayWell
Constipation is an acute or chronic condition in which bowel movements occur less often than usual or consist of hard, dry stools that are painful or difficult to pass. Although constipation is a relative term, with normal patterns of bowel movements varying widely from person to person, generally an adult who has not had a bowel movement in three days or a child who has not had a bowel movement in four days is considered constipated.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health
Difficulty with producing a bowel movement, or infrequent bowel movements. Constipation, a condition that can affect the human digestive system at any stage of life, is rarely serious or chronic.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Childhood and Adolescence
ConstipationSymptom and DescriptionConstipation means being unable to move your bowels, having to push harder to move your bowels, or moving them less often than usual. Bowel movements will be small, dry, and hard.
Source:StayWell
Constipation is an acute or chronic condition in which bowel movements occur less often than usual or consist of hard, dry stools that are painful or difficult to pass. Bowel habits vary, but an adult who has not had a bowel movement in three days or a child who has not had a bowel movement in four days is considered constipated.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
Lots of children suffer from constipation -- bowel movements that are hard or painful. Your child may become constipated because of toilet-training troubles or anxiety related to using the toilet. Or, he may not be getting enough fiber or liquids in his diet or may not be getting enough exercise.
Source:StayWell
Colds usually are mild illnesses that get better within one or two weeks. However, even mild symptoms can make children feel miserable.
Source:StayWell
Many parents worry that their baby is constipated, which can happen for many reasons. Sometimes, however, babies are not really constipated, but just have their own way of pooping.
Source:StayWell
What's the best way to relieve constipation in babies? Claire McCarthy, M.D., is a senior medical editor for Harvard Health Publications. She is an instructor in pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, an attending physician at Children's Hospital of Boston, and co-director of the pediatrics department at Martha Eliot Health Center, a neighborhood health service of Children's Hospital. The author of two books, "Learning How the Heart Beats" and "Everyone's Children", Dr. McCarthy was a regular columnist for "Sesame Street Parents Magazine" from 1995 to 1998 and is currently a contributing editor for "Parenting Magazine".
Source:StayWell
The most common beliefs about alleviating constipation may be myths, say some experts.
Source:StayWell
Why does taking iron cause you to be constipated? Mary Pickett, M.D., is a lecturer for Harvard Medical School and an assistant professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR. At OHSU, she practices general internal medicine and teaches medical residents and students.
Source:StayWell
I am suffering from constipation. Dulcolax works, but it cannot be taken too often. Could you suggest a better, non-habit-forming medicine?
Source:StayWell
Sensations are carried from the extremities of the body to the brain via neurons in the spinal cord. If the blood supply to the nerves is or if the nerve is otherwise damaged or its function affected, it can produce the feeling that "my finger fell asleep".
Source:HealthLine
Date:September 30, 2007
Sensations are carried from the extremities of the body to the brain via neurons in the spinal cord. If the blood supply to the nerves is decreased, it can produce the feeling that "my hand fell asleep".
Source:HealthLine
Date:September 30, 2007
Photophobia is eye discomfort in bright light.
Source:ADAM
Date:February 22, 2007
Muscle aches and pains are common and can involve more than one muscle. Muscle pain also can involve ligaments, tendons, and fascia, the soft tissues that connect muscles, bones, and organs together. See also muscle cramps and joint pain .
Source:ADAM
Date:May 17, 2007
True muscle weakness means that full effort does not produce a normal muscle contraction or movement. A voluntary muscle contraction is generated when the brain sends a signal through the spinal cord and nerves to a muscle.
Source:HealthLine
Date:September 30, 2007
Weakness is a reduction in the strength of one or more muscles.
Source:ADAM
Date:July 17, 2007
Nausea is the sensation of having an urge to vomit. Vomiting is forcing the contents of the stomach up through the esophagus and out of the mouth.
Source:ADAM
Date:July 25, 2007
 A Recipe to Ease Nausea: Gingerbread With Brown Sugar Meringue"Gingerbread. Ginger cookies.
Source:StayWell
Nausea is the sensation of having a queasy stomach or being about to vomit. Vomiting , or emesis, is the expelling of undigested food through the mouth.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
Will excess fluid in the ear cause dizziness and nausea? David Vernick, M.D. is assistant clinical professor of otology and laryngology at Harvard Medical School and interim chief of the Division of Otology and Laryngology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
Source:StayWell
Numbness and tingling are decreased or abnormal sensations caused by altered sensory nerve function. The feeling of having a foot " fall asleep " is a familiar one.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
The most common reason for numbness or tingling is a problem with nerve function, either because the nerve itself is injured, something is pressing on the nerve, or an imbalance in the body's chemistry interferes with nerve function.
Source:StayWell
What would cause sudden ear numbness and partial facial numbness (but without drooping or muscle weakness)?
Source:StayWell
Sensations are carried from the extremities of the body to the brain via neurons in the spinal cord. If the blood supply to the nerves is decreased, it can produce the feeling that "my foot fell asleep".
Source:HealthLine
Date:September 30, 2007
Sensations are carried from the extremities of the body to the brain via neurons in the spinal cord. If the blood supply to the nerves is decreased temporarily, it can produce the feeling that "my leg fell asleep".
Source:HealthLine
Date:September 30, 2007
Numbness and tingling are abnormal sensations that can occur anywhere in your body, but are often felt in your hands, feet, arms, or legs.
Source:ADAM
Date:May 22, 2007
Definition and classification Pain is a universal human experience. The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines pain as " an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders
Expert-reviewed information summary about pain as a complication of cancer or its treatment. Approaches to the management and treatment of cancer-associated pain are discussed.
Source:StayWell
Pain, medically termed "nociception," is a response to noxious stimuli that is conveyed to the brain by sensory neurons . The discomfort signals actual or impending injury to the body.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
Communicating About PainResourcesAmerican Pain Foundation888-615-7246www.painfoundation.orgAmerican Chronic Pain Associationwww.theacpa.orgThe National Pain Foundation www.painconnection.orgYou have a right to have pain treated. Untreated pain can...
Source:StayWell
Pain is an unpleasant feeling that is conveyed to the brain by sensory neurons. The discomfort signals actual or potential injury to the body.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Measuring Your PainA pain scale helps you rate pain intensity. In the scale, 0 means no pain, and 10 is the worst pain possible.
Source:StayWell
Pain is an unpleasant feeling that is conveyed to the brain by sensory neurons. The discomfort signals actual or potential injury to the body.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
Pain is an unpleasant feeling that is conveyed to the brain by nerves in the body. Pain arises from any number of situations.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health
This comprehensive report describes the many causes of pain, the latest treatments, and the best preventive strategies.
Source:StayWell
I have recurring sores in my mouth, most generally on the sides of my tongue, and the tip of my tongue gets very tender and sore. Do I have a vitamin deficiency? What else could be the cause of this?
Source:StayWell
Examines the role of forgiveness in personal health and happiness, ranging from reduced stress to improved relationships.
Source:StayWell
Children who experience verbal abuse are at as much risk for developing anxiety or depression as those who are abused physically or sexually. This may be due to the fact that verbal abuse is likely to persist over a lengthy period of time.
Source:StayWell
Personality changes are alterations in the behavior, thinking and interactions of a person from their established character. These changes may be indicative of chemical dependencies, psychiatric illness, dementia, trauma, illness, altered body chemistry or temperature, or poisoning.
Source:HealthLine
Date:November 30, 2007
Rashes involve changes in the color or texture of your skin.
Source:ADAM
Date:July 18, 2007
The popular term for a group of spots or red, inflamed skin that is usually a symptom of an underlying condition or disorder. Often temporary, a rash is only rarely a sign of a serious problem.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Infections, with bacteria or viruses, often cause rashes. Some of these infections are more serious than others. Fever is another sign of infection.
Source:StayWell
very common in newborns (babies less than one month old). They can be bumps, blisters, or scaly patches; they can appear on the scalp, face, body and diaper area. Most rashes are not cause for concern, but some rashes need a doctor's attention.
Source:StayWell
Rash is a popular term for a group of spots or an area of red, inflamed skin. A rash is usually a symptom of an underlying condition or disorder.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine