Balance and Periodic Paralysis

Balance and Periodic Paralysis

Hello All,

I constantly discuss staying ‘totally balanced’ in all ways in order to manage our symptoms…but what does that mean exactly?? The following is my explanation.

Periodic Paralysis is a Mineral Metabolic Disorder, which is also known as an ion channelopathy. This means that the levels of the minerals/electrolytes/ions in the blood can become abnormal or can fluctuate in error depending on several issues. There will be either not enough minerals in the blood or too many minerals in the blood. Many things we call ‘triggers’ can cause this for us including, but not limited to, drugs, IV’s anesthesia, some foods (junk food, processed foods-anything not natural), food fillers and dyes, exercise, exertion, temperature fluctuations, heat, cold, stress, sleep, sodium, sugar, carbohydrates.

For those of us with varying forms of Periodic Paralysis, when a trigger is introduced in our bodies, the minerals shift and it causes many symptoms, most notably, periods of paralysis. These can be either partial or full-body. Therefore it is important for us to stay balanced.

First, this means we must keep the electrolytes/minerals in balance. These include:

potassium (K+) Use potassium meter to monitor levels.

magnesium (Mg++)

sodium (Na+)

chloride (Cl-)

calcium (Ca++)

bicarbonate (HCO3-)

phosphate (HPO4–)

Second, other things that need to be well balanced:

Sugar/glucose: Use glucose meter (blood), follow a diabetic diet and eat smaller amounts more often to prevent sugar highs and lows.

pH/acid/alkaline: Use pH strips (urine and saliva), follow a pH or alkaline balanced diet.

Hydration/dehydration: Drink plenty of water, but not too much. Low or high levels of water/fluid affect mineral levels.

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Salt/sodium: Salt can be a trigger, use low sodium foods with care, the salt in those foods is replaced with potassium for flavor so will increase potassium levels.

Body temperature: Use a thermometer. Fever can create symptoms. Heat and cold also causes symptoms.

Vitamins: Any vitamin imbalance can create symptoms.

Exercise/exertion: Too much exertion or exercise sets our symptoms into motion, it is important to know your own limits.

Blood pressure: Monitor with a blood pressure wrist cuff.  Blood pressure needs to be kept at normal levels. This can be done with diet and staying balanced.

Oxygen levels: Monitor with finger pulse oximeters, below 95% the cells begin to be starved causing damage. If blood pressure is up or down, oxygen may be needed to avoid damage. Low oxygen levels prevent the cells from working properly and it affects the brain, heart and energy levels.

Heartbeat: Monitor with finger pulse oximeters and blood pressure wrist cuff. If heart rate is too slow the heart has to work harder and the brain and other organs are not getting the oxygen they need and if the heart is beating too fast the organs and other tissue is being deprived of oxygen.

Carbohydrates: Too many carbohydrates in a meal affect HypoKPP, but HyperKPP needs more carbohydrates in the diet.

Sleep: A lack of sleep causes chemical imbalances in the body and affects insulin levels, among other issues.

Stress (good or bad): This causes adrenaline to rise, which lowers potassium levels and also affects insulin levels.

Drugs/medications/over-the-counter: Avoid at all cost. These will cause serious imbalances in many different ways, depending on their composition and our form of Periodic Paralysis and co-existing conditions.

If we can keep our bodies in balance, we can minimize our symptoms and improve our quality of life. It is a constant battle and not easy but the results are well worth it. We can be the best we can be, naturally, by following the above ideas. We equate it to constantly walking a tightrope.

This form helps to monitor the above issues in order to stay in balance.

Until later.....