Porphyria Research Paper

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Some say they've seen vampires before, others say they're crazy but it just could possibly be the truth. Porphyria is the deficiency or inactivity of a specific enzyme in the heme production process. Porphyria effects different people in different ways. It is also the origin of the myth of vampires. Since there is no actual recording of vampires, this disease is the only thing that could make a person vampire-like. There are two main types of Porphyria; Acute Intermittent Porphyria and Cutaneous Porphyria. Both of which have negative effects that will affect a person badly. Porphyria effects the the body externally, internally, and family. Porphyria is nicknamed the "vampires" disease for a reason. Porphyria patients often look like vampires .Extreme sensitivity to sunlight is a common effect of porphyria. The sun will blister exposed areas, cause swelling, or itching. The skin is one of the most affected areas from porphyria. Also, the skin tightens and shrinks, which causes the eyes, nose, and teeth appear to be sunken in. The urine from a porphyria patient tends to be purplish red, which led to the drinking blood theories. Although, some of the …show more content…

Porphyria will literally make a person go crazy. Because of how the body feels, most patients are unusually grumpy. This is how "vampires" were said to be hostile. Porphyria can also cause mental and emotional disorders, muscle weaknesses and seizures, chest and abdominal pain, and other problems depending on how severe your porphyria is. This pain will effect a patient not only physically, but emotionally. Most of the porphyria patients disabilities will stress them out, and push them to the edge of insanity. "It was always very bad for me, when my nerves were going crazy. I couldn't sleep, sit or lie quietly for a minute and I couldn't concentrate myself on anything at all." Porphyria is not curable nor contagious, however, it it genetically

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