Post Polio Syndrome

POST POLIO SYNDROME

Post polio syndrome. People who have had polio may develop post-polio syndrome (PPS), a disorder that results in progressive muscle weakness and atrophy (loss). PPS typically develops 10–40 years after the primary polio infection has passed. The poliovirus is the cause of polio (poliomyelitis). Most people have moderate symptoms or none at all.

POST POLIO SYNDROME

However, it can occasionally result in death or paralysis. People who have had polio. before may develop post-polio syndrome (PPS), which usually appears 15–40 years after the first infection. It is marked by pain, exhaustion, and new muscle weakness, frequently in polio-affected areas.

Symptoms

Individual differences may exist in symptom severity. Muscle weakness that develops gradually is one of the symptoms.
Fatigue.
progressive atrophy of the muscles.
twitches and soreness in the muscles.
discomfort in the joints.
skeletal abnormalities like scoliosis, or the curvature of the spine.
Swallowing and breathing may become difficult for you if the muscles involved are impacted.
Although PPS is not a kind of ALS, severe cases of the disorder might have symptoms similar to those of ALS.

Causes

The etiology of post-polio syndrome is yet unknown. It might be because to the recuperation from the original polio infection, according to one idea. In the muscles injured by polio, nerve cells (neurons) may produce several smaller branches (dendrites) from the larger branches (axons) of nerve cells as they heal. The neurons that the polio virus destroyed are replaced by these dendrites.
The nerve cells deteriorate and lose their power to sustain the dendrites after years of overworking them, according to scientists. The entire muscle weakens as a result of the dendrites shrinking.

Treatment

Non-fatiguing workouts: Strengthening muscles and lowering general fatigue can be achieved by exercises that don’t produce pain or exhaustion.
Training for cardiorespiratory endurance: Cardiorespiratory endurance is the degree to which your heart, lungs, and muscles cooperate throughout extended exercise. Prior to attempting this kind of instruction, you should speak with your physician.
Mobility aids: Canes, walkers, and scooters are examples of devices that can improve mobility and prevent sudden muscle fatigue.
Occupational therapy: To help you carry out everyday duties more effectively, an occupational therapist might assist you in making modifications to your house.
Speech therapy: A speech therapist can assist if swallowing has become challenging due to PPS.

Prevention

Preventing contracting polio is the only method to avoid PPS. Vaccination against polio is the only way to achieve this. It is advised by medical professionals that children receive the polio vaccine four times in total, starting at two months of age. You can still obtain the polio vaccination as an adult if you were not given it as a child.
Following a polio infection, there is little you can do to avoid getting post-polio syndrome. What causes some polio survivors to acquire PPS while others do not is unknown to scientists.

Summary

People who have had polio may develop post-polio syndrome (PPS), a disorder that causes progressive muscle atrophy and weakening. It’s critical to keep in mind that every individual with PPS experiences the condition differently. Seeing a medical professional who specializes in neuromuscular disorders and PPS is the best approach to find out what to anticipate. They are here to assist you.