The degree to which children are affected may vary from one child to the next. One child may be mildly affected, the next seriously affected and the next unaffected. T riggers may vary from person to person. Unfortunately this is an area in which food trigers are not as clearly defined as the other types of periodic paralysis, where it is possible to say potassium-rich foods or sweet foods trigger episodes. Since the patient's potassium level may vary from time to time during episodes it may take diligence and real attention to one's body's signals to discover triggers.
Sleep is a potent trigger.
Going too long without eating is another trigger, as is eating a large meal. Getting chilled is a trigger. Hydrocarbons like gasoline fumes, paint fumes or car exhaust have been reported as triggers by some patients, and are probably best avoided when possible. S ee 'How to Keep a Food and Activity Diary' . L earn to determine your triggers and try to avoid them whenever possible.