What is Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis (HypoKPP) and what are the symptoms?
Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis is a rare inherited muscle disorder that causes episodes of paralysis or weakness. During severe attacks the patient may become totally unable to move and even appear unconscious. Despite being unable to speak or open their eyes the patient is awake and completely aware of their surroundings during attacks. Patients with HypoKPP typically begin showing symptoms in the first or second decade of life, often as they enter puberty. About 65% develop symptoms before the age of 16, but first symptoms have been documented in patients as old as 60-70 years. In patients who develop symptoms at a young age attacks may be infrequent at first, but eventually may occur daily. Episodes may last anywhere from an hour or two to days, and may vary in intensity from episode to episode, with mild localized weakness in a hand, foot, jaw or limbs one time and generalized paralysis the next.
