Hyperkalemic Periodic ParalysisSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis
Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (hyperPP) is a condition that causes occasional episodes of muscle weakness and sometimes a higher than normal level of potassium in the blood. The medical name for high potassium level is hyperkalemia.
HyperPP is one of a group of genetic conditions that includes hypokalemic periodic paralysis and thyrotoxic periodic paralysis.
Periodic paralysis - hyperkalemic; Familial hyperkalemic periodic paralysis; HyperKPP; HyperPP; Gamstorp disease; Potassium-sensitive periodic paralysis
HyperPP is congenital. This means it is present at birth. In most cases, it is passed down through families (inherited) as an autosomal dominant condition. In other words, only one parent needs to pass the gene related to this condition on to their child in order for the child to be affected.
Occasionally, the condition may be the result of a genetic issue that is not inherited.
It is believed that the condition is related to problems with the way the body controls sodium and potassium levels in cells.
Risk factors include having other family members with periodic paralysis. It affects men and women equally.
Symptoms include attacks of muscle weakness or loss of muscle movement (paralysis) that come and go. There is normal muscle strength between attacks.
Attacks usually begin in childhood. How often the attacks occur varies. Some people have several attacks a day. They are usually not severe enough to need therapy. Some people have associated myotonia, in which they cannot immediately relax their muscles after use.
The weakness or paralysis:
- Most commonly occurs at the shoulders, back, and hips
- May also involve the arms and legs, but does not affect muscles of the eyes and muscles that help with breathing and swallowing
- Most commonly occurs while resting after activity or exercise
- May occur on awakening
- Occurs on and off
- Usually lasts 15 minutes to 1 hour, but may last up to an entire day
Triggers may include:
- Eating a high carbohydrate meal
- Rest after exercise
- Exposure to cold
- Skipping meals
- Eating potassium-rich foods or taking medicines that contain potassium
- Stress
The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms and prevent further attacks.
Attacks are seldom severe enough to require emergency treatment. But irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) may also occur during attacks, for which emergency treatment is needed. Muscle weakness can become worse with repeated attacks, so treatment to prevent the attacks should occur as soon as possible.
Glucose or other carbohydrates (sugars) given during an attack may reduce the severity of the symptoms. Calcium or diuretics may need to be given through a vein to stop sudden attacks.
Jean-marc Renaud practices practicing medicine in Ottawa, Canada. Mr. Renaud is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis. He is also highly rated in 2 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis, Familial Periodic Paralysis, Primary Lateral Sclerosis, and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
University Of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Stephen Cannon is a Neurologist practicing medicine in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Cannon is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis. He is also highly rated in 8 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Familial Periodic Paralysis, Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis, Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis, and Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis.
Patterson Primary Care Clinic
Dr. Edwards is originally from a small, mountain town in Wyoming. She moved to the Midwest and completed her Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Residency in Illinois. In 2017, she moved to Grand Junction and has been practicing at a local pediatric practice ever since.“Continuity of care and getting to know a patient and their health goals and values are central to my philosophy of medicine. I also strive to acknowledge the impact of mental health on physical health. Caring for newborns and watching them grow and develop brings me so much joy in my practice. Being trained in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics gives me an opportunity to focus on preventive medicine early on in childhood and adolescence and continue to follow my patients into adulthood.”When not at work, Dr. Edwards and her family enjoy camping through Colorado and have recently started paddle boarding. She also loves to cook and garden. Dr. Edwards is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis. Her clinical expertise encompasses Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis, Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis, Andersen-Tawil Syndrome, and Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis. Dr. Edwards is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine and American Board Of Pediatrics. Dr. Edwards is currently accepting new patients.
Sometimes, attacks disappear later in life on their own. But repeated attacks may lead to permanent muscle weakness.
HyperPP responds well to treatment. Treatment may prevent, and may even reverse, progressive muscle weakness.
Health problems that may be due to hyperPP include:
- Kidney stones (a side effect of medicine used to treat the condition)
- Irregular heart beat
- Muscle weakness that slowly continues to get worse
Contact your provider if you or your child has muscle weakness that comes and goes, especially if you have family members who have periodic paralysis.
Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you faint or have difficulty breathing, speaking, or swallowing.
The medicines acetazolamide and thiazides prevent attacks in many cases. A low potassium, high carbohydrate diet, and light exercise may help prevent attacks. Avoiding fasting, strenuous activity, or cold temperatures also may help.
Summary: This study wishes to investigate the effects of strength exercise in patients with either HypoPP or HyperPP. The investigators wishes to include participants already diagnosed with either HypoPP or HyperPP in af 24 week prospective study where the patients will be tested and asked to fill out questionnaires three times. These appointments will be schedueled at week 0, week 12 and week 24. In the t...
Published Date: October 23, 2025
Published By: Walead Latif, MD, Nephrologist and Clinical Associate Professor, Rutgers Medical School, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Boegle AK, Narayanaswami P. Treatment and management of disorders of neuromuscular hyperexcitability and periodic paralysis. In: Bertorini TE, ed. Neuromuscular Disorders: Treatment and Management. 2nd ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 18.
Doughty CT, Amato AA. Disorders of skeletal muscle. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 109.
Kang MK, Kerchner GA, Ptacek LJ. Channelopathies: episodic and electrical disorders of the nervous system. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SK, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 98.
Weimer M, Reese JJ, Tilton AH. Acute neuromuscular disease and disorders. In: Zimmerman JJ, Clark RSB, Fuhrman BP, et al. Fuhrman and Zimmerman's Pediatric Critical Care. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 68.