14 Probable Symptoms of Post Polio Syndrome

Polio used to be one of the most feared diseases in the world, and it’s estimated that as much as 50, 000 people were affected by polio every year during the height of the health condition in the 1940s and 50s. Today, the condition is a lot less prevalent than it used to be, and we can thank vaccinations for reducing the number of reported polio cases that are around today – but there are still isolated pockets of polio breakouts, and then there’s a condition referred to as post-polio syndrome (or PPS). 

If you have ever been diagnosed with polio, then you have as much as a 45% chance of contracting post-polio syndrome later in your life. While PPS isn’t considered to be contagious, polio as an active condition still is – and if you suspect that you might have contracted polio, see your doctor.

Here are 8 probable symptoms of the post-polio syndrome that you should be aware of. 

1. Muscle Weakness

Muscle weakness is usually one of the first symptoms that you’ll experience if you’re suffering from polio, but it will also happen as a recurring symptom if you are diagnosed with post-polio syndrome. The muscle weakness in cases of post-polio syndrome is often related to the rate of muscle degeneration that was experienced with the initial manifestations of the condition, and this means that no two cases are exactly the same. 

Some sufferers might note that the symptom of muscle weakness begins in different parts of the body, while most people will also note that the rate of muscle weakness varies from case-to-case.

In order to deal with muscle weakness better, physical therapy is often the first prescribed step to dealing with the muscle weakness that can be associated with polio and post-polio syndrome. Moderate exercise has also been proven to help a great deal, as can bracing the muscles and joints.