Surabaya (beritajatim.com) – Poliomyelitis or poliomyelitis is a disease that has the potential to cause death.
The disease caused by this poliovirus was previously widely reported to have resurfaced in Aceh, following the last case since 2006.
Can people with polio be cured?
Launching Healthline, polio is a type of disease that cannot be completely cured. Until now, there is no drug that can cure polio completely.
Treatment is only intended to support the body’s functions to treat symptoms and reduce the risk of long-term or ongoing problems.
Complications of post-polio syndrome (PPS)
If someone was infected with polio as a child and then recovers, their body can still develop a complication called post-polio syndrome (PPS).
One of the most significant effects of PPS is permanent muscle loss, which can affect the body’s mobility.
PPS usually appears long after a person has recovered from the polio infection, often decades later. PPS affects one-quarter to nearly half of all people who recover from polio.
If you or a loved one has had a polio infection, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the possibility of PPS. Learn more about the possible symptoms of this polio-related complication and how doctors diagnose and treat it.
What causes post-polio syndrome?
The exact cause of PPS is not known. Experts believe that PPS may develop as an effect of stress on motor neurons, acquired from a previous polio infection.
Even if a person may recover from the initial polio infection, they may still experience a gradual decline of these neurons.
Initially, someone who gets PPS may not have symptoms of post-polio neurodegeneration because the process is slow. This also explains why the muscle weakness and other symptoms of PPS develop long after the initial infection.
What are the symptoms of post-polio syndrome?
Launching Healthline, PPS symptoms can begin 15 to 40 years after a person recovers from their initial poliovirus infection. Symptoms that may occur include:
– unexplained tiredness
– gradual worsening of muscle weakness
– gradual decrease in the size of the muscles
– decrease in body resistance during daily activities
– articolar pains
– curvature of the spine (scoliosis)
– sleep disorders
Some people who get PPS may experience only mild symptoms. While others may experience more serious problems with loss of muscle mass and function.
Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as unexplained fatigue, joint pain, or muscle weakness appear.
How do doctors diagnose post-polio syndrome?
With the launch of Healthline, there is no single diagnostic tool used by doctors to diagnose PPS. A doctor will first perform a physical exam to evaluate the size and strength of the patient’s muscles, reflexes, and reactions. They may proceed with some other tests if the patient has:
– history of poliomyelitis infection
– Muscle atrophy and weakness
– possible other symptoms of PPS for at least 1 year
A doctor may use any of the following tests to help them diagnose PPS:
– CT scan of the spinal cord
– MRI, which will also provide detailed images of the spine
Spinal fluid analysis to rule out other medical conditions, such as multiple sclerosis
– muscle biopsy, which involves taking a small sample of muscle tissue and sending it to a laboratory for further analysis
– electrophysiological studies to evaluate nerve and muscle function
What is the treatment for post polio syndrome?
Currently, there is no known treatment for PPS. The damage to neurons affected by this virus is irreversible.
But there are steps that can be taken to help control PPS symptoms. These steps can help you improve your mobility and overall ability to perform daily activities.
For example, sufferers may use mobility aids, such as orthotic devices. Mechanical range devices can help make daily routines easier and less tiring.
While there are no specific medications to treat PPS, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter or prescription anti-inflammatory medications. This can help relieve pain and discomfort in the sufferer’s muscles, joints, and spine. (Kai/ian)
