As this eMedTV article explains, post-polio syndrome is a condition that can affect polio survivors many years after recovery from an initial acute attack of the poliovirus. This resource takes an in-depth look at this topic.
The cause of post-polio syndrome is unknown. As this eMedTV article explains, it is thought to be related to lingering damage from the original poliovirus infection. Risk factors for post-polio syndrome are also discussed in this article.
Common symptoms of post-polio syndrome include slowly progressing muscle weakness and loss of muscle. This eMedTV page talks about these and other signs and symptoms, and explains how they are often related to the severity of the original case of polio.
A post-polio syndrome diagnosis is based on a patient's medical history, physical exam, and test results. This eMedTV page describes the process of making a post-polio syndrome diagnosis, including ruling out other conditions with similar symptoms.
There is no cure for post-polio syndrome; therefore, treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms. This eMedTV Web page provides detailed information on lifestyle changes, support, and other possible treatments for post-polio syndrome.
Many patients with post-polio syndrome want to know their prognosis, or what to expect in the future. This eMedTV resource provides detailed information on how a doctor takes many factors into account to make a post-polio syndrome prognosis.
As this eMedTV article explains, research studies on post-polio syndrome are designed to answer important questions and to find out whether new approaches are safe and effective. This page provides an overview of current post-polio syndrome research.
As explained in this eMedTV segment, there is currently no treatment available for preventing post-polio syndrome or stopping the deterioration of surviving neurons. This Web page offers several basic health tips for polio survivors.
There have been mixed views on whether it is safe to exercise if you have post-polio syndrome. As this eMedTV segment explains, exercise can be effective when carefully prescribed and monitored by healthcare providers.
