Patient's question:
The girl is 13 years old. She had a lumbar puncture, MRI, and CT scans at a top-tier hospital, and all the tests came back normal! However, the child's weakness returned, occurring once every 20 days. The symptoms last for about half an hour before the child recovers. The suspicion is that it might be periodic anesthesia. How should this be diagnosed? Which department should be seen? What medication should be taken?Doctor's answer:
According to your description, 1. For recurrent hypokalemic periodic paralysis in adults, oral or enteral potassium chloride is administered. For patients with respiratory muscle paralysis, artificial respiration, sputum suction, and oxygen should be provided promptly. For patients with arrhythmia, 10% potassium chloride, insulin, and 5% dextrose solution can be administered intravenously. However, digitalis should be discontinued. For patients with frequent recurrence during the intercritical period, potassium chloride can be taken orally every night before bed for long-term treatment. If there is a history of hyperthyroidism or adrenal cortical tumors, additional medication or surgical treatment should be implemented. 2. Mild recurrence of hyperkalemic periodic paralysis usually does not require treatment.