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1994-02-02
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POST-POLIO SYMPTOMS & EFFECTS: A BRIEF GUIDE
---------------------------------------------
The past few years have seen a great deal of research devoted to
what are generally referred to as "the late effects of polio." This
research continues; its pace accelerated. The symptoms and examples
listed here are known or suspected to be associated with post-polio.
Not every one will apply to any individual. There are many variables,
including your age, degree of disability, and how severe the polio was.
These symptoms are, however, a useful guide and beginning point for
assessing one's own life, seeking appropriate medical treatment, and
perhaps making necessary changes in lifestyle.
Known or suspected post-polio problems tend to fall into four
main categories. The are: 1) unaccustomed fatigue; 2) joint and/or
muscle pain; 3) muscle weakness and/or loss of muscle use; and 4)
respiratory problems.
unaccustomed fatigue
--------------------
-Marked fatigue after moderate exercise or activity is common in
post-polios; fatigue can indicate muscle overuse.
joint and/or muscle pain
------------------------
-More common new musculosketal problems in post-polios include
osteorathritis of spine and peripheral joints, scoliosis, bursitis,
tendonitis, osteoporosis, myofascial pain syndrome, foot and toe
deformities, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic pain from strain to back
and neck muscles. These symptoms in post-polios generally result
from longstanding muscle weakness and imbalance; they are not merely
part of the normal aging process.
-Chronic strain on joints used in compensatory ways, e.g. weight bearing
with upper extremities, can lead to premature degenerative
osteoarthritis.
-Osteoporosis of spine and long bones is very common in more severely
disabled post-polios. Lone bone fractures may occur with minimal
stress.
-Generalized pain in the spine and extremities is very common in
post-polios.
-A non-localized "flu-like" aching in muscles is frequent in
post-polios.
-Pains in the lower back are common, often caused by movements used to
compensate for weak hip muscles; this transfers weight to small facet
joints at the back of the vertebra, which are not designed to handle
such stress.
muscle weakness and loss of muscle use
--------------------------------------
-Muscles most commonly affected in post-polios are those that recovered
well from the initial attack and have been used strenuously since.
Common manifestations are: new muscle weakness, increased weakness
or pain, generalized fatigue and weakness, post-exercise weakness
and/or pain.
-Post-polios work 2-3 times as hard as normal to accomplish the same
activity. The added strain may result in overuse damage.
-Early symptoms of overuse before lasting muscle weakness occurs are:
post-exercise transient fatigue, post-exercise transient weakness,
pain in specific muscles after exercise, or muscle twitching.
-Weak abdominal muscles tend to foster chronic back strain and injury.
-Post-polios have less muscle reserve, and may need more time to resume
normal activity after surgery or severe illness.
respiratory problems
--------------------
-Combined deterioration of respiratory muscles--from polio AND
aging--may necessitate the use of breathing aids.
-Symptoms of failing respiratory reserve can be insomnia, restless
sleep, nightmares, morning headache or confusion, shallow breathing
patterns, breathlessness even during speaking. A combination of
these symptoms requires expert evaluation.
-Post-polios with severe respiratory impairments can develop sleep
apnea.
______________________________________
Compiled by the Post-Polio League for Information and Outreach (P-POLIO)
Sources:
Handbook on the Late Effects of Poliomyelitis, 1984 by Gini Lauri,
Frederick M. Maynard, M.D., D. Armin Fischer, M.D., Judy Raymond;
published by Gazette International Networking Institute, St. Louis,
MO.
1st Annual Research Symposium on the Late Effects of Poliomelitis, Warm
Springs, GA
1981 Rehabilitation Gazette, reporting on the 1st International Symposium
on the Late Effects of Poliomyelitis.