“In all, I spent about four years in hospital and I’ve never been ill since.”
Every type of porphyria is caused by a problem in the production of a chemical called Heme – a part of the oxygen-carrying chemical heamoglobin.
Several factors are known to increase the risk of the condition, including smoking, emotional stress, and alcohol use.
Menstrual hormones are also linked with the condition. According to Mayo Clinic, acute porphyria attacks are rare before puberty and after menopause.