Post polio syndrome is defined as a disorder in which the effects of poliomyelitis are experienced later, approximately 10 to 40 years after the onset of the disease. It is estimated that about 25 to 50 percent of all people who have had polio experience post polio syndrome.
Symptoms of Post-Polio Syndrome
Symptoms of post polio syndrome include:
- Fatigue
- Issues with swallowing and breathing
- Joint and muscle pain
- New weakness in limbs that were originally affected, as well as in those that weren’t originally affected
- Breathing disorders like sleep apnea
Treatments for Post-Polio Syndrome
Treatment depends upon the symptoms, and may include:
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Sleep apnea treatment
- Medication