Haff disease

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Haff disease

Haff disease (pronounced /hæf/), is a rare syndrome of rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of skeletal muscle) due to consumption of certain types of fish. The disease was first identified in the coastal city of Königsberg, Germany (now Kaliningrad, Russia) in 1924. The term "Haff" refers to the lagoons, bays and off-shore areas of the Baltic Sea.

Etymology

The term "Haff" is derived from the German word "Haff", which refers to a lagoon of the Baltic Sea. The disease was named after the area where it was first identified.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Haff disease typically occur within 24 hours of consuming affected fish and can include muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, the disease can lead to kidney failure.

Causes

The exact cause of Haff disease is unknown, but it is believed to be due to a toxin in certain types of fish, including the buffalo fish, pike, burbot, and eel. The toxin is not destroyed by cooking or freezing.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Haff disease is based on the patient's symptoms and history of recent fish consumption. Laboratory tests may show elevated levels of creatine kinase, a marker of muscle damage.

Treatment

Treatment for Haff disease is supportive and includes hydration to help flush the toxin from the body and prevent kidney damage. In severe cases, dialysis may be required.

Related Terms

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski