Specialist Guide Regarding Post-Polio Blog

By Ericka Marsh


Illness is a very distressing phenomenon to each and every person. Being incurable disease even worsens the situation further. Incurable diseases are few and polio virus disease is one such rare illness. It is very distressing and disabling. The sad truth is that even some of those who survive this illness are faced with other related health conditions later in life. Fifteen years after suffering from poliomyelitis, one is likely to suffer from another illness named as post polio syndrome as post-polio blog posts call it.

Once a person survives initial disease attack, it takes a long duration of time for the new symptoms to present. These symptoms imitate those of the previous disease and may be difficult to distinguish from other illnesses. The symptoms include loss of muscle mass, pain, body malaise and fatigue. Occasionally, other symptoms may appear depending on body parts affected.

Mechanism of action remains unknown. All that is available is science creation of ideas thought to be real. One such theory explains that exhaustion of remaining nerve cells is responsible for the polio-like features observed long after an initial condition is managed. The death of such cells is associated with increased workload that finally becomes unbearable.

Unlike many other diseases, diagnosing this illness pose a challenge and therefore might often be misdiagnosed. Diagnosis is basically dependent upon clear history taking. Three features point to this illness and they include previous infection by polio virus, long period of time from the time of initial infection and finally; gradual onset of weakness as well as body malaise.

Treatment is mainly intended to relieve symptoms and preserve body function. It is more of a palliative intervention. One intervention involved is bed rest. In this state, one avoids straining and therefore is well rested. Similarly, some activities like movement may be achieved by aid of powered wheelchairs that reduces need for physical energy during movement. A second intervention is use of pain killers. These are drugs intended to block pain and therefore limit distress associated with it.

Of all the symptoms, fatigue is the most conspicuous and very distressing symptom. Nearly all persons with this syndrome complain of fatigue. They points out fatigue as one most undesired feature. To effectively handle this feature, a number of options are employed. These include fatigue medication, weight reduction, workload reduction as well as change of life style.

Prognosis is generally good and most patients recover completely from their illness. Actually, majority of victims fully recover to their previous state of health. However, a few persons experience devastating life changing events in which a permanent disability results. Others succumb to their illness and pass on. All the same, three quarters of victims survive and return to normal life.

There is hope for all persons affected by this disease. Despite the devastating symptoms and signs experience, proper care leads to gradual but full recovery of previous state of health. Individuals affected should therefore make effort to access health care as it preserves life and its quality.




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