The Postpolio Syndrome

• April 27, 2024

Postpolio Syndrome (SPP) is a condition that can affect polio survivors at any time, from 10 to 40 years, after recovering from an initial attack of the virus.

According to the Post-polio Health International organization, these long-term physical consequences include new symptoms recognized by the medical community and characterized by an additional weakening of the muscles that were previously damaged by polio.

The symptoms are: fatigue, slowly progressive muscle weakness, muscle and joint pains and muscle atrophy; some experience only minor symptoms while others acquire spinal muscular atrophy.

The extent to which polio survivors will suffer from the syndrome depends on how they have been affected by the first attack of the disease. Patients who had only minimal symptoms in a first attack and who subsequently acquired SPP will probably only notice mild symptoms.

People who were originally hard hit by the polio virus may acquire a more acute case of SPP with greater loss of muscle function, difficulty in swallowing and more periods of fatigue.

Attention to polio sequels in Mexico

Since May 2008, there is a Comprehensive Care Clinic in Postpolio Syndrome at the National Institute of Rehabilitation (INR). Driven by the Post Polio Association Litaff, A.C. (APPLAC), the clinic treats people with sequelae of polio or those who already suffer from the syndrome.

In Mexico, as in other countries of the world, between the years 1940 and 1950, several polio epidemics occurred. As a consequence of this situation, today there is a generation of people between 50 and 60 years old who are victims of SPP, who do not have adequate diagnosis or attention. The syndrome has been recognized by the health sector as "a problem of high frequency disability".

The community of specialists recommends that if there is a suspicion of having SPP, it does not self-diagnose. The diagnosis of Post-polio Syndrome is one of exclusion and it is important to discard (or treat) diseases with similar symptoms that may be causing the affliction.

Although research has not yet identified a medication that prevents or delays the weakening of muscles, symptoms can be controlled.
 

Video Medicine: Post Polio Syndrome ¦ Treatment and Symptoms (April 2024).