When there is a buildup of chemicals in the body due to a group of disorders, it is called porphyria. These chemicals are called porphyrins. This is a medical condition that hugely affects either the skin or the nerves of the patient. These chemicals are normal but their buildup is not. Inherited mutation is the major cause of porphyria. The effect of porphyria is either on the skin or nerves or both.
Porphyria is a genetic medical condition, but it can also be triggered by a few environmental factors. The symptoms of porphyria highly depend on the genes that are abnormal. Symptoms and pathophysiology can be used to classify porphyria.
- Acute porphyria: This has an effect on the nerves of a person and is therefore involved with the nervous system. The symptoms of acute porphyria include insomnia, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, dehydration, confusion, constipation, etc. All these symptoms are related to the nerves of a person.
- Cutaneous porphyria: This has an effect on the skin of the affected person and leads to skin manifestations. The symptoms of cutaneous porphyria include red urine, skin swelling, blisters, painful redness in the skin, and itching. It is a dire medical condition related to the skin.
The symptoms of porphyria are usually common with the symptoms of many other diseases. This makes it tough for a patient to understand whether or not he should seek medical help. There are a few symptoms at the occurrence of which a patient must seek medical help:
- Confusion
- Muscle pain
- Disorientation
- Painful redness in the skin
- Skin swelling
- Red urine
- Blisters
- Abdominal pain with vomiting and/or constipation
With the above symptoms, it is not easy for a patient to evaluate if they are suffering from porphyria. It is imperative that they seek medical help to ensure that the disease does not escalate since it affects their skin and/or nerves.
Porphyria is caused due to an issue with the production of heme. This is a component of hemoglobin. Heme helps to carry oxygen to the rest of the body from the lungs. This is the reason why one major symptom of porphyria is red urine. The skin and nerves of a person getting affected by a medical condition is not uncommon. There are many diseases that have an impact on the skin and nerves of a person. Understanding that this medical condition is porphyria and seeking medical help should be of paramount importance.
A patient cannot know that he is suffering from a particular disease but problems on the skin and nerves are very crucial. These problems on the skin and nerves should be signals for a person to understand that he or she should consult a medical practitioner.
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