Having Post-Polio Syndrome can be very challenging for people. Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to treat your symptoms.
Symptoms
Symptoms of post-polio syndrome are common among people who have experienced a polio infection. These include increased fatigue, muscle weakness, and breathing difficulties. It is important to get medical advice if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. The symptoms will be different for each individual, but they are likely to impact your daily life.
If you have been diagnosed with post-polio syndrome, your physiatrist can help you manage the condition. They may prescribe medication to slow down the deterioration of your muscle function. The goal of treatment is to make you as comfortable as possible. The disease is not fatal, but it can be debilitating.
You can reduce your risk of developing post-polio syndrome by following a healthy lifestyle. This includes eating a balanced diet and avoiding caffeine. It also helps to use assistive devices to conserve energy. You can even use a shower grab bar to help you conserve energy during a shower.
Other symptoms of post-polio syndrome are muscle pain, joint pain, and fatigue. The muscle pain may be felt as cramps or as a deep ache. It can also be associated with atrophy, which is when the muscle loses elasticity.
During a period of inactivity, delicate connections between nerves and muscles can break. This can lead to respiratory failure and chest infections. You should learn how to breathe effectively to avoid these problems. Occupational therapy and physical therapy may be helpful.
You should also avoid smoking. Certain medications can cause acute respiratory failure. You should also limit your activities to keep your energy up.
Survivors with a more severe polio infection are more likely to develop post-polio syndrome. If your symptoms do not improve, you should consider a referral to a specialist.
Diagnosis
Symptoms of post-polio syndrome can vary from mild to severe. They can also include fatigue, weakness, and pain. Some patients may experience respiratory difficulties such as sleep apnea. The condition can also affect the joints, causing deformities. It is important to identify these problems early to prevent further complications.
A variety of tests may be conducted to diagnose PPS. A primary care physician or neurologist can perform an evaluation. If symptoms persist, a neuromuscular specialist can evaluate the patient. These specialists can also suggest lifestyle changes and dietary modifications. These may help relieve some of the symptoms.
A muscle ultrasound test uses sound waves to create images of muscles. This test can be helpful in identifying muscle involvement in patients with post-polio syndrome. In addition, X-rays can be used to detect bone and joint problems.
A complete medical history is essential. The patient should describe symptoms of pain or stiffness. In addition, a history of previous polio infection is essential.
When a person has had a polio infection, the nerves in the spinal cord and the lower brain are damaged. This damage can result in muscle weakness, muscle pain, and fatigue. A person’s immune system can also attack the tissues. The virus in the original polio infection damages hormones that control muscle metabolism. The virus also attacks motor neurons in the spinal cord. These cells carry information from the brain to the muscle. The remaining motor neurons are overworked, and they eventually die.
If a person is found to have a polio infection, they can be referred to a specialist. A neuromuscular specialist can offer a treatment plan for the patient. These treatments can include dietary modifications, a sleep program, a pain-relief medication, and a pacing schedule for physical activity.
Treatment
Despite the fact that polio is no longer a fatal disease, it can still cause a major impact on the quality of life of its victims. Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS) is a condition that is characterized by severe muscle weakness, fatigue, and joint pain.
The diagnosis of PPS is based on a thorough medical history and physical examination. The symptoms of PPS vary from person to person and are generally similar to other disorders such as fibromyalgia. The severity of the disease can range from mild to severe.
The main aim of post-polio syndrome treatment is to reduce or eliminate the symptoms, which can limit the patient’s quality of life. There are various treatments available to improve the condition, and it is important to take the time to consult with your healthcare provider to find out what is best for you.
Some of the more common signs of PPS include weakened breathing muscles, chronic respiratory failure, and osteoporosis. These symptoms can develop gradually or may occur in the immediate aftereffects of the polio infection.
Some of the more common treatments for PPS include rest, physical therapy, and medications. Patients with chronic respiratory failure should also consider mechanical assistance to help them breathe.
Exercise is also helpful in improving the symptoms of PPS. A specially designed exercise program can strengthen muscles and improve overall health. However, it is important to pace the activity to ensure that it does not cause excessive tiredness or muscle weakness.
A multidisciplinary team can help you manage the symptoms of PPS. They can provide you with a range of support, including counseling, physical therapy, and assistive devices. They can also teach you how to use breathing techniques to conserve energy.
Sleep disorders
Among post-polio patients, the prevalence of sleep disorders is high. Sleep disturbances affect both daytime functioning and quality of life, and they can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, screening for sleep disorders should be part of the overall follow-up for post-polio survivors.
The occurrence of sleep disturbances is higher in older polio survivors. This may be due to physiological aging. However, the cause of the increased occurrence of sleep disorders is not known. A number of factors are thought to contribute to poor sleep quality. Some of these are depression, anxiety, and sleep hygiene.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the most common sleep disorders in polio survivors. OSA is characterized by an increase in the frequency and severity of cessations of breathing, also called hypopneas. In this condition, the brain forgets to send signals to the muscles that breathe. It is recommended to perform an overnight sleep study to confirm the presence of OSA. If OSA is present, it is necessary to use nocturnal non-invasive nasal bi-level positive airway pressure (NBPAP) as the first-line treatment. This procedure should be performed by a trained pulmonologist.
Aside from OSA, other common sleep disorders in post-polio survivors are restless leg syndrome (RLS) and periodic leg movements (PLM). These are sensorimotor disorders. They are caused by a desire to move the lower limbs in the supine/sitting position. In addition, pain can be a factor.
It is important to recognize and treat these sleep disorders in order to improve the quality of life of polio survivors. If sleep disorders are suspected, cardiovascular comorbidities should be screened. A healthy lifestyle, such as avoiding smoking and alcohol, controlling body weight, and practicing a healthy diet and exercise regimen, can also help improve the quality of sleep.
Self-management program
Survivors of polio develop post-polio syndrome, a condition that affects a small proportion of people who have been diagnosed with the disease. The condition is characterized by the deterioration of supplemental nerves, which can cause a variety of symptoms. These include muscle atrophy, weakness, respiratory muscle weakness, and pain. Despite the lack of a cure, it can be a life-long condition.
The Edinburgh Branch of the British Polio Fellowship conducted a study to find out about the quality of life of people with post-polio. The results indicated that polio survivors suffered from lower quality of life than the general population. They also reported that they had greater anxiety, depression, and mobility problems.
The main difficulties polio survivors faced included carrying, moving, and sedentary activities. They also experienced muscle imbalance and bone and joint deformities. Consequently, these conditions interfered with daily life.
The goal of rehabilitation is to improve the quality of life of polio survivors. This can be achieved by addressing the problem of participation. During the late stages of the disease, a person’s ability to participate in social and recreational activities is often impaired. Consequently, interventions should focus on participation, coping, and self-management.
The study was carried out in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. 214 patients attended a PPS self-management program. Participants were assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery, pain during the previous 3 months, and fatigue.
Results showed that the self-care and self-reported impairments related to the late effects of polio were not significantly different between the PS group and the control group. Although the pain was a significant factor in the PS group, it was not a significant factor in the control group. The study found that a PPS self-management program has positive benefits.
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