General description of the disease
It is an infectious disease caused by poliovirus and causes damage to the nervous system. As a consequence, motor neurons suffer. This provokes paralysis of varying severity. Children under 5 years of age are most at risk. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 200 polio infections will lead to permanent paralysis. A vaccine against the disease was developed in 1953 and manufactured in 1957. Since then, polio cases have dropped significantly[1].
The poliomyelitis virus enters the body with water, food, airborne droplets or through household contact. It multiplies on the intestinal mucosa, then enters the bloodstream and spreads through the organs, affecting the spinal cord.
The causes of poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis is triggered by a virus. It is usually transmitted through contact with the faeces of an infected person. This disease is very common in regions with limited access to plumbing latrines. Polio outbreaks can be triggered, for example, by drinking contaminated water contaminated with human waste. Less commonly, poliomyelitis is transmitted by airborne droplets or by household contact.
It is worth noting that the virus is very contagious, so that upon contact with a sick person, infection occurs almost one hundred percent. At risk are pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems, HIV-infected, small children.
If a person has not been vaccinated, the risk of infection increases from such factors:
- a trip to an area with recent polio outbreaks;
- contact with an infected person;
- drinking dirty water or poorly processed food;
- experienced stress or strenuous activity after contact with a potential source of infection[1].
Types of poliomyelitis
Symptomatic poliomyelitis can be divided into soft form (non-paralytic or abortive) and severe form – paralytic polio (occurs in approximately 1% of patients).
Many people with nonparalytic polio recover completely. Unfortunately, patients with paralytic polio usually develop permanent paralysis[2].
Polio symptoms
In the most severe cases, polio can lead to permanent paralysis or death. But very often, especially in the initial stages, the disease is asymptomatic. It is worth noting that the symptomatology that manifests itself over time depends on the type of polio.
Non-paralytic symptoms of polio
Nonparalytic polio, also called abortive poliomyelitisoften resembles the flu in its symptoms. They persist for days or weeks. These include:
- fever;
- a sore throat;
- vomiting;
- fatigue;
- headache;
- painful sensations in the back and neck;
- muscle spasms and weakness;
- meningitis;
- diarrhea[2].
Paralytic symptoms of poliomyelitis
Paralytic poliomyelitis occurs in only a small percentage of those infected with the virus. In such cases, the virus enters motor neurons, where it replicates and destroys cells. The symptoms of this type of poliomyelitis often start similar to non-paralytic, but later progress to more serious, such as:
- loss of muscle reflexes;
- acute muscle pain and spasms;
- very sluggish limbs;
- violation in the processes of swallowing and breathing;
- sudden paralysis, temporary or permanent;
- misshapen limbs, especially hips, ankles, and legs[2].
Postpoliomyelitis syndrome
Polio can return even after recovery. This can happen in 15-40 years. Common symptoms:
- constant weakness of muscles and joints;
- muscle pain that only gets worse over time;
- fast fatigue;
- amyotrophy;
- difficulty breathing and swallowing;
- sleep apnea;
- the onset of weakness in previously not involved muscles;
- depression;
- problems with concentration and memory.
It is estimated that 25 to 50% of polio survivors suffer from post-polio syndrome[1].
Complications of polio
Post-polio syndrome is rarely life-threatening, but severe muscle weakness can lead to complications:
- Bone fractures… Weakness of the leg muscles leads to loss of balance, frequent falls. This can cause bone fractures, such as the hip, which in turn can also lead to complications.
- Malnutrition, dehydration, pneumonia… People who have had bulbar polio (it affects the nerves leading to the muscles involved in chewing and swallowing) often have difficulty doing this. Chewing and swallowing problems can lead to malnutrition and dehydration, as well as aspiration pneumonia caused by inhalation of food particles into the lungs (aspiration).
- Chronic respiratory failure… Weakness in the diaphragm and chest muscles makes it difficult to take deep breaths and coughs, which can lead to the formation of fluid and mucus in the lungs.
- Obesity, curvature of the spine, bedsores – this is caused by prolonged immobility.
- Osteoporosis… Prolonged inactivity is often accompanied by loss of bone density and osteoporosis[3].
Prevention of poliomyelitis
Two types of vaccines have been developed against this disease:
- 1 Inactivated poliovirus – consists of a series of injections that start 2 months after birth and continue until the child is 4-6 years old. This version is very popular in the USA. The vaccine is made from inactive poliovirus. It is safe and effective, but it cannot cause polio.
- 2 Oral polio vaccine – is created from a weakened form of poliovirus. This version is used in many countries because it is inexpensive, easy to use and provides good immunity. However, in very rare cases, an oral vaccine can trigger the development of a virus in the body.[2].
Polio treatment in mainstream medicine
There is no therapy that helps to cure polio at the moment in medicine. All funds are aimed at maintaining the patient’s condition and coping with the symptoms, complications of the disease. Early diagnosis and supportive procedures, such as bed rest, pain management, good nutrition, and physical therapy to prevent deformities, can help reduce negative symptoms over time.
Some patients may require extensive support and care. For example, breathing assistance (artificial lung ventilation) and a special diet if they have difficulty swallowing. Other patients may require spikes and / or leg supports to avoid limb pain, muscle spasms, and limb deformity. Some improvement in the condition may occur over time.[4].
Healthy foods for polio
The diet for polio depends on the specific symptoms that the patient develops. So, in the case of the most common form of the disease – abortive, as a rule, diarrhea appears, and nutrition should be aimed at eliminating the disorders that it caused, as well as preventing putrefactive processes in the intestines. In this case, it is recommended to eat light foods:
- rice, semolina, oatmeal in water with the addition of a small amount of butter or vegetable oil;
- steam cutlets or stewed meatballs;
- boiled fish;
- meat puree;
- boiled vegetables;
- fruit;
- pureed cottage cheese.
It is also very important to drink enough water, because during the period of vomiting or diarrhea, the body is severely dehydrated. Remember that other liquids: broths, tea, coffee, juices do not replace water. Due to the fact that poliomyelitis is accompanied by severe disorders in the general state of health, fever, it is important to include foods rich in vitamins in the diet, to maintain the condition with medical fees.
Traditional medicine for polio
Such a serious illness must certainly be treated under the supervision of a doctor. Traditional medicine is not always effective in combating this virus. However, there are some recipes that can help strengthen the body, restore it, or cope with the symptoms of the disease.
- 1 Rosehip decoction. You need to pour a tablespoon of dried berries with a glass of boiling water, insist for 30 minutes, and then divide this volume into three parts and drink during the day. It helps to strengthen the immune system.
- 2 For the treatment of diseases of the nervous system, including poliomyelitis, aloe extract is often used in folk medicine. It must be injected into the thigh by injection. For children over 5 years old, 4 ml is injected subcutaneously for 0,5 days in a row. Then 5 injections should be given within 25 days. The scheme is very simple – one injection, four days off, then another. Then a break is taken for 28 days, after which – 8 injections daily in the prescribed dosage. One week off and another 14 days of daily subcutaneous injections. Before such therapy, you should definitely consult with your doctor, who can adjust the dosage depending on each individual case.
- 3 If you have an elevated temperature during polio, it is recommended that you drink plenty of cherry juice as it helps reduce fever.
- 4 You can make a honey-based drink. This healthy and delicious ingredient helps fight many intestinal infections. In a liter of warm water, you need to dissolve 50 g of liquid honey and drink a glass of liquid 3 times a day. It is important that the water is not hot, as the high temperature kills the health benefits of honey.
- 5 Herbal preparations are also believed to be beneficial for fighting intestinal infections. They can be prepared from nettle, millennial, St. John’s wort, mint. The selected herb in the amount of 1 tbsp. you need to pour a glass of boiling water, insist, strain and drink this volume per day.
Dangerous and harmful foods for polio
During the period of illness, the body weakens greatly. It is important to maintain his condition with healthy products, and not harm the prohibited ones. It is necessary to exclude alcohol from the diet, since it is not combined with medications and has a detrimental effect on the nervous system.
It is also worth giving up eating sweets, which make the immune system weaker. Potentially harmful products that negatively affect the gastrointestinal tract are banned: fast food, smoked meats, pickles, fatty, too spicy, fried foods.
- Article: “Polio”, source
- Article: “Polio: Symptoms, treatments, and vaccines”, source
- Article: “Post-polio syndrome”, source
- Article: “Polio”, source
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The administration is not responsible for any attempt to apply any recipe, advice or diet, and also does not guarantee that the specified information will help or harm you personally. Be prudent and always consult an appropriate physician!
Attention!
The administration is not responsible for any attempt to use the information provided, and does not guarantee that it will not harm you personally. The materials cannot be used to prescribe treatment and make a diagnosis. Always consult your specialist doctor!