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 initial polio infection has healed.
The poliovirus is the illness that causes polio (poliomyelitis). For most people, the symptoms are negligible or absent. However, it can also result in death or paralysis.
The poliovirus comes in three varieties, known as wild poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3. Types 2 and 3 of wild polio have been eradicated and are extinct, whereas type 1 of wild polio remains limited to a few regions worldwide.
Who is affected by post-polio syndrome?
Following polio, individuals may have post-polio syndrome. PPS can appear up to 40 years after the initial sickness and starts to manifest at least 10 years later.
PPS affects between 30 and 40 percent of polio survivors. A more severe case of PPS may occur in a person who was more seriously impacted by polio.
What is the frequency of post-polio syndrome?
Since polio is uncommon, post-polio syndrome is also uncommon. The United States is now free of polio thanks to vaccinations. Nonetheless, there are still instances of PPS and polio in several nations.
Signs and Origins
What signs of post-polio syndrome are present?
The most typical initial symptom of post-polio syndrome is a progressive weakening of the muscles that were weakened during your polio episode.
Symptom severity can differ from person to person. Among the symptoms are:
- Muscular weakness that worsens gradually.
- Weary.
- Progressive atrophy of the muscles.
- Muscle spasms and discomfort.
- Pain in the joints.
- Skeletal abnormalities such scoliosis, or the curvature of the spine.
You may find it difficult to perform breathing and swallowing tasks if the muscles involved are damaged.
How does post-polio syndrome arise?
Researchers are still unsure of what causes post-polio syndrome. According to one view, it can be the result of recovering from the first polio infection. The big branches (axons) of nerve cells can regenerate into many smaller branches (dendrites) as the damaged muscles recover from polio. The polio virus damaged neurons, but these dendrites took over their functions.
Researchers believe that nerve cells deteriorate and lose their capacity to maintain dendrites after years of overworking themselves. Afterwards, the muscle as a whole weakens as the dendrites contract.
Diagnoses and Examinations
How can one diagnose post-polio syndrome?
There are no particular tests available to identify post-polio syndrome.
Rather, PPS is diagnosed by medical professionals following a physical examination and inquiry about your health history and symptoms. They also need to rule out any other illnesses that might be the source of your symptoms.
Any of the following tests could be requested by your doctor in order to assist diagnose PPS and rule out other conditions:
- Scans of your spinal cord using CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
- EMG, or electromyography.
- Biopsy of muscles.
- Analysis of spinal fluid.
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