Health and Fitness ? What the ?EURoeVampire Disease?EUR ...

What is commonly called Porphyria and also known as the ?Vampire Disease? does not turn people into vampires, though some theorize that the disease contributed to vampire folklore many years ago. Though the term Porphyria is most commonly associated with the ?vampire disease? heading, medically speaking the term actually refers to at least eight conditions that are very different from one another.

Porphyria can cause intense pain and blistering with sun exposure in those with some forms of it. Even covering up and staying in the shade may not be adequate protection for sufferers. Cases of porphyria tend to be rare, but troubling nonetheless for sufferers. It can take many years for those with porphyria to get a correct diagnosis. There are approximately only 200,000 cases of porphyria in the United States. The most common type of porphyria is porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) and the least common form is ALAD-deficiency (ADP), with only six cases being documented in Europe.

Since the 1950s, there have been established links between porphyria and mental illness, which includes severe depression and catatonia. In 1966, a theory was published in the British Medical Journal which suggested that King George III suffered from Varigate Porphyria due to his reaction to the sun, abdominal pain, confusion, weakness in his limbs and other symptoms. His mental health was affected, with some referring to him as being ?mad? while he was actively plagued by the disease.

Research is actively being done on the various types of porphyria and there is at least one non-profit foundation established to be of assistance to those with porphyria. In fact, since at least 1841, research has been done into porphyria, starting with what caused the reddish color of urine found in sufferers. Years later it would be determined that hematoporphyrins were present and causing the coloration.

One researcher, Dr. Friedrich Meye Betz, studied the affect of hematoporphyrins by injecting himself with them and then exposing himself to sunlight. The result was so painful and intense it lasted several months, which is far longer than patients typically experience an active episode.

Currently, treatment varies, depending upon the type of porphyria the patient has. Diet and nutrition can play an important role in treating symptoms of some types of porphyria, specifically in regards to carbohydrate intake. Prescription medication is available for treatment, but it takes more than one medication to treat porphyria. The type of porphyria the patient has will affect the treatment and the medication used.

This article is for informational purposes and is the opinion of the author which may not be the opinion of the site that this article links to. You should seek the advice of a doctor when it comes to your personal health.


Article source: http://goarticles.com/article/What-the-Vampire-Disease-Porphyria-is-and-is-not/5373409/

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Source: http://medicaltips.biz/2011/09/20/what-the-euroevampire-diseaseeur/

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