2. Introduction
• Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is a disorder of the nerves and
muscles. It happens in some people many years after they have
had polio. PPS may cause new muscle weakness that gets worse
over time, pain in the muscles and joints, and tiredness. People
with PPS often feel exhausted.
• Polio is a contagious disease caused by the polio virus. It can
spread through body fluids. It most often strikes young children.
Severe polio may lead to paralysis and breathing problems.
• PPS happens in some people who have recovered from polio. It
starts an average of 35 years after the original polio and may
eventually make it hard to breathe. PPS may cause the muscles to
shrink.
3. CAUSES
The cause of PPS is still not clear. Some experts think it may
have to do with the way that the nerves have to regrow
branches. This may overwork the nerve cells after a bout of
polio.
Another idea under investigation is that the virus “sleeps” in
the nervous system. It reactivates later, causing PPS.
It is also possible that the immune system somehow gets
mixed up and attacks the body’s own nerves. Researchers
are still trying to learn more about the possible causes of
PPS.
4. Symptoms
Common signs and symptoms of post-polio syndrome
include:
Progressive muscle and joint weakness and pain
General fatigue and exhaustion with minimal activity
Muscle atrophy
Breathing or swallowing problems
Sleep-related breathing disorders, such as sleep apnea
Decreased tolerance of cold temperatures
In most people, post-polio syndrome tends to progress
slowly, with new signs and symptoms followed by
periods of stability.
5. RISK FACTORS
Factors that can increase your risk of developing post-
polio syndrome include:
• Severity of initial polio infection. The more severe
the initial infection, the more likely that you'll have
signs and symptoms of post-polio syndrome.
• Age at onset of initial illness. If you developed polio
as an adolescent or adult rather than as a child, your
chances of developing post-polio syndrome increase.
• Excessive physical activity. If you often exercise to
the point of exhaustion or fatigue, you might
overwork already stressed-out motor neurons and
increase your risk of post-polio syndrome.
6. COMPLICATIONS
• Post-polio syndrome is rarely life-threatening, but severe
muscle weakness can lead to complications:
• Falls. Weakness in your leg muscles makes it easier for to
lose balance and fall. then might break a bone, such as a
hip, leading to other complications.
• Malnutrition, dehydration and pneumonia.
• Chronic respiratory failure.
• Obesity.
• Osteoporosis.
7. How is post-polio syndrome
diagnosed?
• PPS only develops in people who once had polio.
Blood tests to rule out other causes for muscle
weakness
• Electromyography (EMG)_to measure the electrical
activity of the muscles
• Muscle biopsy to look for signs of damage in the
muscle cells
• MRI or CT scans
8. TREATMENT
• There is no cure for PPS. But supportive therapies can help
manage the condition. The goal of treatment for PPS is to
reduce the impact of the condition on daily life. may use a
cane or walker to save energy and muscle strength. may
need to make sure get plenty of rest.
• People with PPS who have new muscle weakness and
tiredness (fatigue) may improve muscle strength with
specially designed, low-intensity muscle-strengthening
exercise programs known as non-fatiguing exercises . in
which short repeats of exercise alternate with periods of
rest in between. Exercising in warm temperatures and in
water may improve well-being.
9. Conti…
• In addition to the exercise program, other supportive
therapies that may use include:
• Assistive devices such as lightweight braces, canes, walkers,
scooters, and wheelchairs
• Medicines to ease pain
• Medicines to ease fatigue
• Physical therapy to keep as much mobility as possible
• Occupational therapy to help with ways to adapt
• Speech-language therapy if needed for trouble swallowing
• Assisted breathing with a positive-pressure breathing
machine, if needed, especially at night
• Emotional and mental health support
10. REFERENCES
1. Care of Infants and Children. 10th edition, pages
1104-1106.
2. Murray, K and Horslen, S. (2014) Diseases of the
Liver in Children. Pages 257-268
