Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of porphyria.
Family history
- What is the general health of your relatives?
- Are there any hereditary diseases in your family?
Social history
- What is your profession?
- Are you exposed to harmful working substances in your profession?
- Is there any evidence of psychosocial stress or strain due to your family situation?
Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints).
- Do you suffer from severe abdominal pain?
- Do you suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, constipation?
- Have you noticed any muscle weakness? If so, where?
- Have you observed any neurological deficits such as paralysis, sensory disturbances?
- Do you suffer from mood swings?
- Do you experience epileptic seizures?
- Have relatives, friends, acquaintances reported to you that you sometimes seem confused?
- Do you react to light/sun exposure with morbid, painful skin changes?
- Has your skin turned brownish? (not due to sun bathing)
- Is your urine turning red in the toilet? Have you noticed red spots (not blood) in your underwear?
- Do the symptoms occur episodically?
- How long do the complaints last (hours, days, weeks)?
- Do you have high blood pressure? Palpitations? Restlessness?
- Are you able to sleep well? Are you tired?
Vegetative anamnesis incl. nutritional anamnesis.
- Do you drink alcohol? If so, what beverage(s) and how many glasses of each per day?
Self-history
- Operations
- Allergies
- Pregnancies
- Environmental history [organic solvents (as found in painting and dry cleaning businesses), lead, toxic chemicals]
Medication history – possible triggers / triggers – porphyria centers of excellence provide information on the compatibility or suitability of drugs.
- Anticonvulsants (antiepileptic drugs).
- Barbiturates (group of drugs with sedative/calming, hypnotic/sedative, and narcotic/numbing effects).
- Hormones (“pill”, progesterone and others).
- Hydantoins (antiepileptic drugs)
- Sulfonamide antibiotics
- Agents that induce the enzymes of cytochrome P-450.
- and many more.