Friday, July 16, 2010

Multifaceted Nervous System Dysfunction Related To AIP: A Discussion


The nervous system has a functional relationship with all bodily systems (see diagram). In individuals with active Acute Intermittent Porphyria (AIP), the nervous system becomes assaulted by an altered chemical environment. This abnormal chemical status is a result of metabolic disruptions secondary to the inherited porphobilinogen-deaminase enzyme deficiency within the heme synthesis pathway.

The greater the chemical imbalance… the more severe the neurological effects.

The more sensitive a person’s nervous system is… the greater the neurological impact.

Neurological effects can range from obscure mild irritations to life-threatening…(i.e. Bulbar Paralysis/ Loss of Respiratory Ability).

Neurological effects can be intermittent or chronic/ long-term.

The key seems to be re-balancing the body’s chemical status and calming metabolic demands.

I believe that effective enzyme replacement therapy would be ideal, but is not openly available today. In theory this type of replacement would act in much the same way that insulin injections do for a diabetic person.

Current AIP Treatment Involves:

Education
Prevention/ Trigger Removal
Treating Signs & Symptoms
IV Glucose
IV Heme
Long-Term Medical Monitoring

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