What causes Post Polio Syndrome?

It is caused by years of over use and abuse.
Nerves that were damaged by polio an sprouted
have been overworked for years and can no longer
handle the strain. So....muscles that have been
over worked for years ache and joints hurt after
years of doing too much work with too little muscle
support.


Will Post Polio Syndrome kill you?

 No. For Post Polio patients it is just that the body is
growing tired of doing too much work with too
few damaged and overworked neurons. However,
stress, grief, vehicle accident, major surgery etc.
can influence and accelerate the symptoms.


Is there any treatment for Post Polio Syndrome?

Yes there is. Since the symptoms are caused by
the nervous system the equivalent of plugging
too many appliances into one electrical outlet,
survivors must decrease the over use of the
already damaged nerves and weakened muscles
and painful joints.


What are the treatments for Post Polio Syndrome?

Survivors basically need to conserve their energy
in order to preserve their nerves and muscles. They
must learn to walk less, use needed assistive devices
that is a crutch, brace or scooter or motor chair and
have rest periods throughout the day. One can
also do massage various types are available and
chiropractic and acupuncture.


Are treatments effective for Post Polio Syndrome?

Yes they are. If patients stop over working their
nerves and muscles their symptoms plateau. That
is when patients listen to their physicians and start
taking care of themselves, the majority have a
decrease in fatigue, weakness and pain.

Isn't exercise the only way to strengthen weakened
muscles?

No. Symptoms result from too many appliances being
plugged into an already damaged nervous and
muscular system. Yoga, pilates, and stretching
exercises will help and swimming too but pumping 
iron is out. Survivors can not exercise the way that others do to condition their hearts and bodies an to prevent osteoporosis. We have to be wiser in our choices of exercise.

What can family and friends do to help?

Survivors have spent years of their lives trying to
act "normal". Now....years later using a assistive
device of any kind or having to give up doing things
particularly things that they liked to do is very hard
and both frightening to us, much less asking for
help, which we all know was drilled into us not
to do years ago. Well.....times have changed
an it is 2005. Today, we ask for help from a spouse,
family, and friends. We have to be willing to rest
and do the things we should do to help ourselves
and not feel guilty about saying "hey I need some
help". Most importantly family and friends need
to understand what is going on and be able to
able to accept the limitations because no amount
of nagging or reminding will get the survivor to do
what they know that they have to do. It is the
survivors responsibilty to take care of themselves
and ask for help and follow their physicians
instructions. As survivors you are responsible for
your own bodies.