Porphyria -- a rare but potentially serious condition -- is made up of several disorders. It occurs when chemicals called porphyrins accumulate in the body. There is no cure for porphyria, which is caused by a genetic mutation. A 2011 article published in "The Mercury" reports that less than 200,000 people in the United States had porphyria as of 2011. Regular exercise can have a beneficial effect on porphyria. To avoid triggers that can cause an attack, consult your doctor before exercising.
Features
Eight different enzymes work together in your body to convert porphyrins into heme, a component of hemoglobin. Deficiencies in these enzymes can cause an abnormal buildup of porphyrins, which in turn can cause a constellation of symptoms. There are two main categories of porphyria. Acute porphyria can cause severe abdominal pain; high blood pressure; gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation; muscle pain, numbness and weakness; seizures; fever; and mental changes, such as confusion and paranoia. Cutaneous porphyria affects only the skin; symptoms include itching, swelling, redness, and blisters that occur after exposure to sunlight. Porphyria mimics many diseases, and thus can be difficult to diagnose. An important clue is urine that is red, pink or maroon. If you have symptoms of porphyria, see your doctor. Because porphyria features sensitivity to light, the disease may have contributed to the myth of vampirism. Porphyria is treated by managing symptoms; your doctor may prescribe IV fluids, pain medications, injections of heme arginate, and a high-carbohydrate diet.
Exercise and Porphyria
Most experts, including the British Porphyria Association, recommend that porphyria patients get at least 20 minutes of moderate physical activity three times a week. Regular exercise can alleviate the constipation that often occurs with porphyria, as well as help relieve the depression that can accompany the disease. In addition, exercise can also be help stimulate the appetite, which is particularly important for porphyria patients, for whom fasting and skipping meals are common triggers of an attack. If your doctor has advised a high-carbohydrate diet, exercise can help prevent conditions that might result from it, such as diabetes, weight gain and hyperlipidemia, or excessive fat level in the bloodstream. It is not necessary that exercise be strenuous; the association recommends light activity, such as walking. Porphyria Educational Services notes that porphyria patients should do stretching exercises along with light aerobic activity.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a fact of life for many porphyria patients, who often demonstrate slowed physical movement. Fatigue can lead to a reluctance to exercise, which causes underused muscles to become atrophied, or de-conditioned and diminished in size. Although finding the energy to exercise can be challenging, the benefits are substantial. Porphyria Educational Services reports that porphyria patients who exercise experience less fatigue than those who don't, and thus recommends that gentle exercise be a regular part of the daily routine.
Precautions
Porphyria patients can avoid exposure to sunlight while exercising by covering exposed skin, wearing a broad-brimmed hat, and using sunscreen, as well as scheduling exercise in the early morning and early evening. Avoid dehydration by drinking generous amounts of fluids; at least two quarts of liquid a day is a good rule of thumb. Avoid exercising in areas where insecticides or weed killers have been used; these may trigger attacks. Physical fatigue can trigger attacks as well; review your exercise regime with your doctor, and avoid overdoing it.
