Porphyrin, a crucial component in your body, is linked to a protein found in red blood cells. It binds to iron and transports oxygen to various organs and tissues, facilitating normal hemoglobin function. However, when natural chemicals that produce porphyrin accumulate to high levels in the body, it leads to a group of disorders known as porphyria.
Symptoms of Porphyria:
Porphyria can be categorized into two main types:
- Acute porphyria: This primarily affects the nervous system, causing symptoms that can emerge rapidly and pose life-threatening risks. Women rarely develop acute porphyria before puberty or after menopause. Symptoms of this disorder typically last for one to two weeks and gradually improve after the attack.
Possible signs and symptoms of acute porphyria include:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Abdominal distention (swelling of the abdomen)
- Pain in the chest, legs, or back
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Insomnia
- Palpitations (sensation of heartbeat)
- High blood pressure
- Anxiety or restlessness
- Seizures
- Mental changes, such as confusion, hallucinations, disorientation, or paranoia
- Breathing difficulties
- Muscle pain, tingling, numbness, weakness, or paralysis
- Red or brown urine
- Cutaneous porphyrias: This type affects the skin, leading to symptoms when the skin becomes overly sensitive to sunlight. The nervous system is typically unaffected by cutaneous porphyrias. Attacks may take several days to resolve, and symptoms may manifest as early as infancy or childhood.
Symptoms of cutaneous porphyrias due to sun exposure may include:
- Sun sensitivity and burning pain
- Sudden painful skin redness (erythema) and swelling (edema)
- Blisters that take weeks to heal
- Itching
- Fragile skin
- Scars or changes in skin color from healed blisters
- Increased hair growth
- Red or brown urine
If you experience severe abdominal pain, sun sensitivity, or red or brown urine, it’s crucial to seek medical attention promptly.