WHAT IS POST POLIO SYNDROME
Post Polio Syndrome is a poorly understood condition that can affect people who have had polio in the past.
Polio is a viral infection that used to be common in the UK, but is now rare.
Most people who had Polio would have fought off the infection without even realising they were infected.
Some people with Polio would have had paralysis, muscle weakness and shrinking of the muscles. But usually, these problems would have either gone away over the following weeks or months, or remained the same for years afterwards.
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Post Polio Syndrome is where some of these symptoms return or get worse many years or decades after the original polio infection.
SYMPTOMS OF POST POLIO SYNDROME
Post Polio Syndrome can include a wide range of symptoms that develop gradually over time, including:
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persistent fatigue (extreme tiredness)
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muscle weakness
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shrinking muscles
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muscle and joint pain
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The condition can have a significant impact on everyday life, making it very difficult to get around and carry out certain tasks and activities. The symptoms tend to get gradually worse over many years, but this happens very slowly and treatment may help slow it down further.
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Post Polio Syndrome is rarely life-threatening, although some people develop breathing and swallowing difficulties that can lead to serious problems, such as chest infections.
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WHO'S AFFECTED
Post Polio Syndrome only affects people who've had polio. It usually develops 15 to 40 years after the infection.
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The condition has become more common in the UK in recent years, because of the high number of Polio cases that occurred during the 1940s and 1950s, before routine vaccination was introduced. It's estimated that there are around 120,000 people living in the UK who survived Polio when they were younger. Some of these have, or will develop, Post Polio Syndrome.
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It's not known exactly how many Polio survivors are or will be affected by Post Polio Syndrome. Estimates vary from as low as 15% to as high as 80%.
WHAT CAUSES POST-POLIO SYNDROME?
The exact cause of post Polio Syndrome is unclear. It's not known whether anything can be done to prevent it.
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The leading theory is that it's the result of the gradual deterioration of nerve cells in the spinal cord (motor neurones) that were damaged by the Polio virus. This would explain why the condition can take years to appear.
Post Polio Syndrome isn't contagious. The theory that the Polio virus may lie dormant in your body, causing Post Polio Syndrome when it becomes reactivated at a later stage, has been disproven.
It's not clear why only some people who've had polio develop Post Polio Syndrome. Those who had severe Polio when they were younger may be more likely to develop the condition.
Contacts us: 0800 043 1935
Email us: info@britishpolio.org.uk
RESISTANCE BAND GRANTS
FUND IS CURRENTLY PAUSED
We are very excited to announce our new partnership with charity WheelPower. This has enabled us to give the chance to members to apply now for a set of resistance bands so that you can keep active at home during this difficult time. If your application is successful we will send you a resistance band set which will include hand grips, ankle straps and a door anchor that make it easier to target different muscle groups, including biceps and triceps, back and shoulders, chest and legs and abdomen.
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Resistance training builds resistive power in body muscles and there are many benefits to adding these exercises to your weekly routine.
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The bands can be used for the exercises featured in WheelPower’s Resistance Band Exercises for Wheelchair Users film or for yoga, warming up before exercising, strength training or physical therapy rehabilitation. They are designed for aerobic and anaerobic exercise, physical fitness and weight loss. To access more of WheelPowers great resources visit https://www.wheelpower.org.uk/resources
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The application for can be found below.
Applications can be sent by post or emailed to matthew@britishpolio.org.uk
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As we have had such a good response to the Resistance Band Grants and with the easing of lockdown and warmer weather, we thought it useful to remind you of the recommendations for safe exercise or physical activity (from the BPF Post-Polio Syndrome: a guide to management for health care professionals).
• Physical activity or exercise must be matched to each person's ability, started gradually, with periods of rest and to take into account the longer recovery times required.
• It should be pain-free and non-fatiguing
• Monitor closely to identify any increases in muscle weakness or pain
• Progress to any higher level slowly
This guidance will be familiar to you from other BPF information on pacing and self-management.
There are many videos on the web for exercising with resistance bands, some will not be suitable for polio survivors - if you are concerned please contact your health care provider for further advice.
So, we hope you enjoy the warmer weather and that those of you who have received the exercise bands find them helpful.
But please, start slowly, pace yourself, avoid any increase in pain or fatigue - and let us know how you get on.