Periodic Paralysis Syndrome Treatments

Lifestyle Changes

There are a few behaviors you can adopt to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks:

• Hypokalemic:
  • Eat a low carbohydrate , low sodium diet
  • Avoid strenuous exercise
• Hyperkalemic:
  • Eat a low potassium diet .
  • Stay warm.
  • Avoid fasting, alcohol, and heavy exercise.

Medications

• Both hypokalemic and hyperkalemic:
  • Acetazolamide (Diamox) may prevent an attack by reducing the flow of potassium from the bloodstream into the cells of the body.
• Hypokalemic:
  • Potassium (pill or liquid form) may stop an attack; intravenous potassium may be prescribed for severe weakness.
  • Avoiding certain commonly prescribed medications may help reduce the onset of attacks.
  • If you have a thyroid condition, be sure to get treatment for it.
• Hyperkalemic:
  • Thiazide diuretics, or water pills, may be prescribed to prevent an attack.
  • Glucose, glucose and insulin, or calcium carbonate may be prescribed to slow or stop an attack.