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How does post-polio affect the brain?
Autopsies in some polio patients have found damage to the brainstem and motor cortex as well as to spinal motor neurons. Alternatively, polio may have spared the motor cortex, but the cortex reorganized in different ways to compensate for the loss of spinal motor neurons.
What are the late effects of polio?
Symptoms of late effects of polio
- fatigue.
- decreased strength and muscle endurance.
- pain.
- sleep problems.
- breathing, swallowing or speech difficulties.
- a range of physical symptoms such as scoliosis or joint problems.
Is post-polio syndrome progressive?
It shares many features with chronic fatigue syndrome, but unlike that disorder it tends to be progressive and can cause loss of muscle strength.
Does post-polio syndrome cause personality changes?
Even as the physical causes and treatments for Post-Polio Sequelae (PPS) are being identified, psychological symptoms – chronic stress, anxiety, depression, compulsive and Type A behavior – are becoming evident in polio survivors.
Can you recover from post-polio syndrome?
There’s currently no cure for post-polio syndrome, so treatment focuses on helping you manage your symptoms and improving your quality of life. People with the condition are often treated by a team of different healthcare professionals working together. This is known as a multidisciplinary team (MDT).
What are the signs of post-polio syndrome?
Symptoms of post-polio syndrome
- persistent fatigue (extreme tiredness)
- muscle weakness.
- shrinking muscles.
- muscle and joint pain.
- sleep apnoea.
Can polio return in later life?
The theory that the polio virus may lie dormant in your body, causing post-polio syndrome when it becomes reactivated at a later stage, has been disproven. It’s not clear why only some people who’ve had polio develop post-polio syndrome.
What does polio do to muscles?
Polio is a viral disease which may affect the spinal cord causing muscle weakness and paralysis. The polio virus enters the body through the mouth, usually from hands contaminated with the stool of an infected person.
Is post-polio syndrome fatal?
Post-polio syndrome is rarely life-threatening, but severe muscle weakness can lead to complications: Falls.
How long can you live with post-polio syndrome?
Long interval after recovery. People who recover from the initial attack of polio often live for years without further signs or symptoms. The onset of late effects varies widely but typically begins at least 15 years after the initial diagnosis.
Can post-polio syndrome cause depression?
Depression is common in people who have post-polio syndrome, as with many long-term illnesses. But it may be hard to recognize, because symptoms of fatigue, low energy, and sleep problems can occur with both conditions. If you think you may be depressed, talk to your doctor.
Who gets post-polio syndrome?
Post-polio syndrome only affects people who’ve had polio. It usually develops 15 to 40 years after the infection.