Table of Contents
What are the symptoms of AHP?
What are some symptoms of AHP?
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Diarrhea or constipation (watery stool or difficulty having bowel movements)
- Back or chest pain.
- Muscle weakness.
- Fatigue.
- Rapid heartbeat.
- Seizures.
- Anxiety and/or depression.
What is AHP medical?
Understanding Acute Hepatic Porphyria Acute hepatic porphyria (AHP) refers to a family of ultra-rare, genetic diseases characterized by potentially life-threatening attacks and, for some patients, chronic manifestations that negatively impact daily functioning and quality of life.
What causes acute hepatic porphyria?
Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) typically is acquired rather than inherited, although the enzyme deficiency may be inherited. Certain triggers that impact enzyme production — such as too much iron in the body, liver disease, estrogen medication, smoking or excessive alcohol use — can cause symptoms.
How is AHP treated?
Hemin is the most effective medicine for severe AHP. It’s given through a thin tube (IV catheter) placed in a vein. Glucose: This sugar also helps lower porphyrin levels. You might take it by mouth at home, but it’s usually put in a vein through an IV at the hospital.
How do you test AHP?
Urine porphyrins can help differentiate between types of AHP. While a random (spot) urine test is the most common method to help diagnose AHP, a genetic test can also be performed to differentiate which AHP type a patient may have and can be useful for at-risk family screening.
Do I have AHP?
In addition to severe, diffuse abdominal pain without fever or leukocytosis, other common symptoms of AHP include nausea and vomiting, limb weakness or pain, anxiety, confusion, and skin lesions on sun-exposed areas (HCP and VP primarily).
How is AHP diagnosed?
Acute hepatic porphyria (AHP) involves the loss of heme proteins that help make healthy red blood cells. Many other conditions share the symptoms of this blood disorder, so testing for AHP can take time. Your doctor will diagnose you with AHP after blood, urine, and genetic testing.
Does porphyria cause fatigue?
People who have acute porphyrias commonly suffer fatigue. This may be due to symptoms affecting muscles and joints (such as pain, numbness and weakness) and the sleep disturbance this may cause. In some cases the effects of medication used to control symptoms may contribute to bouts of tiredness.
Why does porphyria cause abdominal pain?
Abdominal pain is by far the most serious symptom in attacks of acute intermittent porphyria. Its cause is unknown. This case study suggests visceral ischaemia as a possible cause of the abdominal pain.
How long do AHP attacks last?
Porphyria attacks typically last 5–7 days [6], although more severe or prolonged attacks can occur, potentially causing paralysis, respiratory failure, and death [7, 8].
Does porphyria cause diarrhea?
Episodes of acute porphyria can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea. During an episode, a person may also experience muscle weakness, seizures, fever, and mental changes such as anxiety and hallucinations.
Can porphyria cause weight gain?
“Unfortunately, because of the therapeutic high carbohydrate intake, patients with hepatic porphyrias are prone to weight gain. Losing excess weight is very difficult for some of these patients because of fasting-induced acute attacks.
What does the name AHP mean?
Define Alternatives. The AHP process begins by defining the alternatives that need to be evaluated.
Medi-Share is a Christian healthcare sharing program where members pool their financial resources and share the medical expenses of other members. When you join Medi-Share, you select your desired Annual Household Portion (AHP) which works just like a deductible does for traditional insurance.
What is acute hepatic porphyria?
Acute hepatic porphyria (AHP) refers to a family of ultra-rare, genetic diseases characterized by potentially life-threatening attacks and, for some patients, chronic manifestations that negatively impact daily functioning and quality of life.