Primary periodic paralysis
Aasly, J.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 107(15): 1340-1342
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 3603500 Document Number: 294500
Three family members are reported who all during some part of the life had suffered attacks of severe limb weakness. One patient was examined during several attacks. At the onset of symptoms the serum potassium level always fell to 3.5-3.2 mmol/l and returned to normal with recovery of muscle strength. The clinical features of hyper and hypokalaemic periodic paralysis are discussed. Both types of disorder results from sarcolemmal depolarization producing inactivation of the excitatory sodium current. Therepeutic effects of acetazolamid and hydrochlorthiazide are present in either form.