A set of potentially incapacitating signs and symptoms known as post-polio syndrome manifest decades after the original polio illness. These symptoms and indicators typically show up 30 to 40 years after polio.
There was a time when polio infection resulted in death and paralysis. On the other hand, the spread of polio was significantly curbed after the inactivated vaccine was developed in the 1950s.
Nowadays, the polio virus paralyses very few people in developed nations; these cases are typically caused by an adverse reaction to a particular vaccine. Still, a large number of individuals who contracted polio as children may go on to experience post-polio syndrome in later life.
Symptoms
Only those who have had polio are affected by post-polio syndrome. Post-polio syndrome symptoms and indicators frequently include:
- weakness and pain in the muscles and joints that worsens with time
- feeling worn out and fatigued easily
- loss of muscular mass (atrophy)
- difficulties swallowing or breathing
- breathing issues connected to sleep, like sleep apnea
- reduced capacity to tolerate cold
Most people experience a slow progression of post-polio syndrome. There may be intervals of stability interspersed with the emergence of new signs and symptoms.
Causes
Although the exact cause of post-polio syndrome is unknown, there are a number of theories.
The motor neurons in your body are affected by poliovirus infection. These neurons transmit electrical impulses, or messages, from your brain to your muscles. Particularly impacted by poliovirus are the spinal cord’s motor neurons.
Every motor neuron is made up of these three fundamental parts:
- A body of cells
- An important branching fibre, or axon
- a large number of tiny branching fibres
Many of these motor neurons are frequently destroyed or severely damaged by polio. The motor neurons that remain grow larger and produce new fibres as a result of the reduced number of motor neurons.
This encourages your muscles to recover from their previous use, but it may also put stress on the nerve cell body that supports the new fibres. This stress might get to be too much over time. This could lead to the sprouted fibres gradually breaking down and ultimately the neuron itself.
Treatment
The different post-polio syndrome signs and symptoms do not have a single treatment. Managing your symptoms and promoting your maximum level of comfort and independence are the two main objectives of treatment. The following therapies could assist you in controlling the symptoms of post-polio syndrome:
Conservation of energy. This entails reducing fatigue by pacing your physical activity and taking frequent breaks. You can save energy by using assistive devices like a cane, walker, wheelchair, or motor scooter. Installing a raised toilet seat or a grab bar in the shower may also be helpful. A therapist can teach you energy-saving breathing techniques.
Physical medicine. You might be prescribed exercises by your physician or therapist that build muscle without causing fatigue. These typically consist of less demanding exercises that you do at a leisurely pace every other day, like swimming or water aerobics.
Maintaining your fitness requires exercise, but it’s best to avoid overusing your joints and muscles and to stop when you start to feel tired or in pain.
Speech therapy. A speech-language pathologist can teach you compensatory swallowing techniques. Exercises that strengthen the voice may also be beneficial.
Treatment for sleep disorders. It could be necessary for you to use a device that helps open your airway while you sleep, or you might need to alter your sleeping habits, like not sleeping on your back. Treatment for restless legs syndrome may help lessen fatigue and enhance the quality of your sleep.
Drugs. Aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol, etc.), and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, etc.) are examples of pain relievers that can help with muscle and joint pain.
The anticonvulsant medication gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise), which is frequently used to treat nerve pain, may be one of the additional treatment options. The long-term risks associated with opioid pain medications make them generally inappropriate for use. Your doctor and you should talk about the best course of action for you to take in order to control your pain and symptoms.
