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.
. Unlike other ailments, this disease has no clear signs and symptoms that distinguish it from other related illnesses. For this reason, misdiagnosis is very common even with experienced and highly knowledgeable persons. For instance, the key symptoms and signs include muscle wasting, body pains, malaise and weakness. These same features are common with other infections like poliomyelitis. This condition is progressive and may grossly affect ability to carry out activities of daily living.
The means by which this disease manifests its symptoms and signs are not well documented. All that is available regarding this are theories which are thought to be the truth. Such theories abound but one that is most acceptable is neural fatigue. It tries to clarify that initial polio infection leads to death of several nerve cells. Following these deaths, remaining nerve cells takes over the role of dead ones by increasing their terminals. This becomes unsustainable at some point leading to recurrence of polio like symptoms thereafter.
Diagnosing this state of health is challenging. There are so many differentials like aging, poliomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome among many more. In addition, there are no specified lab tests to verify this disease. All the same, there are up to three important ways to diagnose this disease. These include previous diagnosis of polio, long interval of time after initial diagnosis and finally gradual onset of weakness and 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.
A third intervention involves control of fatigue. This is the most distressing symptom associated with this disease. A number of options may be employed in this case. Such include body weight reduction for obese persons, changing life style, reducing daily workload and use of lower limb orthotics. Better still, fatigue medications may be of great help.
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.
All persons desire good life. For this reason, all individuals should strive to utilize available preventive measures rather than treat an infection.. Some of these measures include proper hygiene and immunization during childhood. This is the only sure way of preventing post polio syndrome.
. Unlike other ailments, this disease has no clear signs and symptoms that distinguish it from other related illnesses. For this reason, misdiagnosis is very common even with experienced and highly knowledgeable persons. For instance, the key symptoms and signs include muscle wasting, body pains, malaise and weakness. These same features are common with other infections like poliomyelitis. This condition is progressive and may grossly affect ability to carry out activities of daily living.
The means by which this disease manifests its symptoms and signs are not well documented. All that is available regarding this are theories which are thought to be the truth. Such theories abound but one that is most acceptable is neural fatigue. It tries to clarify that initial polio infection leads to death of several nerve cells. Following these deaths, remaining nerve cells takes over the role of dead ones by increasing their terminals. This becomes unsustainable at some point leading to recurrence of polio like symptoms thereafter.
Diagnosing this state of health is challenging. There are so many differentials like aging, poliomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome among many more. In addition, there are no specified lab tests to verify this disease. All the same, there are up to three important ways to diagnose this disease. These include previous diagnosis of polio, long interval of time after initial diagnosis and finally gradual onset of weakness and 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.
A third intervention involves control of fatigue. This is the most distressing symptom associated with this disease. A number of options may be employed in this case. Such include body weight reduction for obese persons, changing life style, reducing daily workload and use of lower limb orthotics. Better still, fatigue medications may be of great help.
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.
All persons desire good life. For this reason, all individuals should strive to utilize available preventive measures rather than treat an infection.. Some of these measures include proper hygiene and immunization during childhood. This is the only sure way of preventing post polio syndrome.
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