Periodic paralysis occur as either inherited or acquired and can be further clssified according to measurable alteraton in the serum potassium level during attacks. It may be a illness secondary to thyrotoxic, urinary potassium waste,
gastrointestinal
potassium waste and barium intoxication.
Electrolyte abnotmalities are common in chronic alcoholics and hypokalemia may develop in the alcoholic patients as a result of dietary potassium deficiency, gastrointestinal and renal losses, respiratory alkalosis, beta-adrenergic receptor
stimulation
and increased insulin level. Hypokalemia induces a hyperpolarization of skeletal muscle, smooth muscle, and myocardial cells. The transmembrane potential may rise so high that action potentials become difficult to initiate, and frank paralysis
may
results.
We have experienced a cases of periodic paralysis in a 53-year old male who had been a heavy alcohol drinker. Immediately after his heavy alcohol drinking, both leg paralysis appeared with K 1.7mM/L and electrocardiogram shows PR prolongaton and
flat T
wave compatible with typical hypokalemia finding. Afer recovery, paralytic episode with glucose and insuline infusion had been provocated. He had no factors generally suggested to cause to hypokalemic periodic paralysis. So alcohol is suggested
to
be
one of factors to induce hypokalemic periodic paralysis.
|