With hypokalemic periodic paralysis an attack of weakness can be induced by administering glucose and insulin with exercise. These tests are potentially hazardous and require careful monitoring.

The level of potassium in the blood falls in the early stages of a paralytic attack.

Periodic paralysis disorders are genetic disorders that affect muscle strength. There are two major forms, hypokalemic and hyperkalemic, each caused by defects in different genes.

The gene for hypokalemic PP is present equally in both sexes, but leads to noticeable symptoms more often in men than in women.

The gene for hypokalemic PP is present equally in both sexes, but leads to noticeable symptoms more often in men than in women.