An Overview Post-Polio Syndrome Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms of
post-polio syndrome can vary in number and severity between different people with the condition. Some patients experience only minor symptoms, while others develop more severe symptoms.
Common Symptoms of Post-Polio Syndrome
Common symptoms of this condition can include:
- Slowly progressing muscle weakness
- Unaccustomed fatigue
- Loss of muscle
- Joint pain
- Increasing skeletal deformities such as scoliosis.
Predicting the Severity of Symptoms
The severity of weakness and disability after acute poliomyelitis tends to predict the development of
post-polio syndrome. Patients who had minimal
polio symptoms from the original illness will most likely experience only mild post-
polio syndrome symptoms. People who were originally hit hard by the polio virus and who attained a greater recovery may develop more severe symptoms with a greater loss of muscle function and more severe fatigue. It should be noted that many polio survivors were too young to remember the severity of their original illness and that accurate memory fades over time.
Summary of Symptoms of Post-Polio Syndrome
People who experience possible post-polio syndrome symptoms may not necessarily have post-polio syndrome. Other medical conditions can cause a number of these symptoms. Therefore, polio survivors with possible symptoms of post-polio syndrome should visit their doctor so that the problem can be diagnosed and treated.
