Some diseases are rare but have far reaching effects than those which are commonly encountered. Polio virus infection is one such rare disease. It usually affects children under the age of fifteen years but rarely adults. All the same, the disease may recur in a new form in fifteen to thirty years after the initial infection. This is what is termed as post polio syndrome. Post-polio blog outline this phenomenon in more details.
Signs and or symptoms do occur several years after an attack. These signs usually resemble those of initial infection and include muscle wasting, pain, weakness and fatigue. Limbs are more affected than other body structures. Such symptoms may be evident in limbs which were initially spared by the disease. This condition is a progressive one and may greatly impair ability to perform activities of daily living like sleeping.
When mechanisms of action of a disease is well understood then even control and management becomes easier; otherwise, managing it becomes difficult. For this particular disease, mechanisms of action remain unknown. All information available is about theories. Some of these theories are more acceptable than others. The most accepted theory talks of neural fatigue. In this theory, it is explained that remaining nerve cells that survive viral attack assumes the function of all other dead ones. Because of this, they are later overwhelmed leading to later expressions observed.
Diagnosis is a key feature in patient care. Wrong diagnosis means wrong treatment and consequently mismanagement. For this illness, no lab test is available to confirm diagnosis. The only available diagnostic measure is history. A clear history leading to diagnosis indicates previous infection with polio virus, long time lapse from initial time of infection and eventually gradual onset of muscle weakness.
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 measure is intended to control fatigue. This has been pointed out as the most distressing symptom among others. All the same, there are a number of options that can be used to effectively bring it under control. Such measures include use of lower limb support items as crutches, change of life style, reduction of body weight for obese persons and effective use of powered wheelchairs. In addition, use of fatigue drugs may be of help.
Recovery is usually possible in patients who have suffered from this state of health. However, this may depend on the body structures affected. Individuals with respiratory compromise tend to succumb to their illnesses while others tend to recover. All the same, those who recover do so after a considerably long period of time that may extend to years; eventually, they recover fully to their previous state of health.
Even though there is no definite treatment for this disease, it is possible to control its symptoms and signs effectively. This is a nice way of preventing permanent disability and relieving one of distress. Let all affected persons be assisted as this is the only sure way of manning this illness.
Signs and or symptoms do occur several years after an attack. These signs usually resemble those of initial infection and include muscle wasting, pain, weakness and fatigue. Limbs are more affected than other body structures. Such symptoms may be evident in limbs which were initially spared by the disease. This condition is a progressive one and may greatly impair ability to perform activities of daily living like sleeping.
When mechanisms of action of a disease is well understood then even control and management becomes easier; otherwise, managing it becomes difficult. For this particular disease, mechanisms of action remain unknown. All information available is about theories. Some of these theories are more acceptable than others. The most accepted theory talks of neural fatigue. In this theory, it is explained that remaining nerve cells that survive viral attack assumes the function of all other dead ones. Because of this, they are later overwhelmed leading to later expressions observed.
Diagnosis is a key feature in patient care. Wrong diagnosis means wrong treatment and consequently mismanagement. For this illness, no lab test is available to confirm diagnosis. The only available diagnostic measure is history. A clear history leading to diagnosis indicates previous infection with polio virus, long time lapse from initial time of infection and eventually gradual onset of muscle weakness.
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 measure is intended to control fatigue. This has been pointed out as the most distressing symptom among others. All the same, there are a number of options that can be used to effectively bring it under control. Such measures include use of lower limb support items as crutches, change of life style, reduction of body weight for obese persons and effective use of powered wheelchairs. In addition, use of fatigue drugs may be of help.
Recovery is usually possible in patients who have suffered from this state of health. However, this may depend on the body structures affected. Individuals with respiratory compromise tend to succumb to their illnesses while others tend to recover. All the same, those who recover do so after a considerably long period of time that may extend to years; eventually, they recover fully to their previous state of health.
Even though there is no definite treatment for this disease, it is possible to control its symptoms and signs effectively. This is a nice way of preventing permanent disability and relieving one of distress. Let all affected persons be assisted as this is the only sure way of manning this illness.
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