<description>&lt;p&gt;Vampires are fake. Porphyria is real. We break down the science behind the so-called “vampire disease,” in plain English, with Halloween vibes and zero fluff. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;What you’ll learn &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;• What porphyria is, how heme is made, and why enzyme problems cause symptoms &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;• Acute vs cutaneous types, including AIP, HCP, VP, PCT, EPP, XLP, and CEP &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;• Classic symptoms you should know: severe abdominal pain, nerve changes, painful photosensitivity, dark or red urine &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;• Common triggers to avoid: unsafe drugs, fasting or low carb intake, alcohol, infections, hormonal changes &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;• How doctors test for it: urine ALA and PBG during attacks, porphyrins in blood or stool, genetic testing &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;• Treatments that work: IV hemin for attacks, givosiran for prevention in acute hepatic porphyria, phlebotomy and low-dose hydroxychloroquine for PCT, afamelanotide for EPP &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;• Living with porphyria, sunlight precautions, diet tips, and when to seek urgent care &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;• Halloween tie-ins and myths vs facts &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Who this episode helps &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;• Patients with unexplained abdominal attacks or light-triggered skin pain &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;• Caregivers who want clear guidance they can use today &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;• Anyone who loves medical stories that separate legend from real biology &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Listen, subscribe, and share so more people hear accurate information on rare diseases. Comment with your questions. We read them. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;🔔 Subscribe: &lt;a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bit.ly/FunnyMedicineSubscribe"&gt;https://bit.ly/FunnyMedicineSubscribe&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;🎧 Listen: &lt;a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://funnymedicinepod.link"&gt;https://funnymedicinepod.link&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;👍 Like &amp;amp; Share if you learned something new &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;🎙️ New episodes every Tuesday. Hit SUBSCRIBE and ring the bell! &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;📱 Follow us everywhere &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Instagram &amp;amp; Threads: @funnymedicinepodcast &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Twitter/X: @FunnyMedPod TikTok: @funnymedicinepodcast &lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Sources listed in video version of this episode on YouTube. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Funny Medicine Podcast

Julia Brunet and Yvette Gonzalez, D.O.

Vampire Disease Is Real: Porphyria Symptoms, Triggers, Treatment | Funny Medicine

OCT 28, 202543 MIN
Funny Medicine Podcast

Vampire Disease Is Real: Porphyria Symptoms, Triggers, Treatment | Funny Medicine

OCT 28, 202543 MIN

Description

<p>Vampires are fake. Porphyria is real. We break down the science behind the so-called “vampire disease,” in plain English, with Halloween vibes and zero fluff. </p><p>What you’ll learn </p><p>• What porphyria is, how heme is made, and why enzyme problems cause symptoms </p><p>• Acute vs cutaneous types, including AIP, HCP, VP, PCT, EPP, XLP, and CEP </p><p>• Classic symptoms you should know: severe abdominal pain, nerve changes, painful photosensitivity, dark or red urine </p><p>• Common triggers to avoid: unsafe drugs, fasting or low carb intake, alcohol, infections, hormonal changes </p><p>• How doctors test for it: urine ALA and PBG during attacks, porphyrins in blood or stool, genetic testing </p><p>• Treatments that work: IV hemin for attacks, givosiran for prevention in acute hepatic porphyria, phlebotomy and low-dose hydroxychloroquine for PCT, afamelanotide for EPP </p><p>• Living with porphyria, sunlight precautions, diet tips, and when to seek urgent care </p><p>• Halloween tie-ins and myths vs facts </p><p>Who this episode helps </p><p>• Patients with unexplained abdominal attacks or light-triggered skin pain </p><p>• Caregivers who want clear guidance they can use today </p><p>• Anyone who loves medical stories that separate legend from real biology </p><p></p><p>Listen, subscribe, and share so more people hear accurate information on rare diseases. Comment with your questions. We read them. </p><p>🔔 Subscribe: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bit.ly/FunnyMedicineSubscribe">https://bit.ly/FunnyMedicineSubscribe</a> </p><p>🎧 Listen: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://funnymedicinepod.link">https://funnymedicinepod.link</a> </p><p>👍 Like &amp; Share if you learned something new </p><p>🎙️ New episodes every Tuesday. Hit SUBSCRIBE and ring the bell! </p><p>📱 Follow us everywhere </p><p>Instagram &amp; Threads: @funnymedicinepodcast </p><p>Twitter/X: @FunnyMedPod TikTok: @funnymedicinepodcast <em> </em></p><p></p><p><em>THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. </em></p><p></p><p><em>Sources listed in video version of this episode on YouTube. </em></p>