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Throughout the 1940s and
1950s, polio emerged as a devastating epidemic
that affected thousands in the United States
alone. Once the second leading cause of death
behind stroke, polio stood as an incurable,
viral disease that caused severe pain, breathing
difficulties, paralysis, and in many cases,
death. The virus crippled children and adults
for years until a vaccine finally became widely
available in 1955. Although polio has been
eradicated in the developed nations of the
world, the tides have turned over the past 25
years as polio survivors have begun to
experience a range of lingering side effects
that significantly affect overall quality of
life.
Causes of Post-Polio Syndrome
The polio virus was
originally characterized in three stages,
including acute illness, recovery period, and
stable disability. In the 1980s, when polio
survivors who were diagnosed at a young age
began to experience pain, progressive weakness,
and fatigue, experts identified a fourth stage
of the disease commonly known as post-polio
syndrome (PPS). More than half of all polio
survivors are now developing the deteriorating
side effects of PPS. Considered a progressive
neuromuscular decompensation, PPS is surfacing
in thousands of Americans, negatively affecting
their ability to partake in life’s simplest
pleasures.
A Difficult Journey
Navigating through life with
PPS is undoubtedly difficult, as mobility is
quickly lost and it becomes challenging to live
a normal, regular life. The extreme bouts of
pain and weakness that accompany the condition
can hinder work, familial obligations, and the
ability to enjoy hobbies and activities. As a
result, many PPS patients become depressed and
dormant, ultimately affecting those around them.
Unfortunately, there is no
specific cure for post-polio syndrome, and the
lack of adequate treatment most certainly leads
to feelings of frustration and hopelessness
among the afflicted. The lack of a cure is a
result of the lack of knowledge surrounding
post-polio syndrome. Because PPS demonstrates
similar symptoms to other incurable chronic
conditions including chronic fatigue syndrome
(CFS) and fibromyalgia, physicians are often
quick to misdiagnose or even dismiss PPS. Those
diagnosed with PPS often remove themselves from
their communities, their work, and even their
families. As such, it’s particularly important
for caregivers to educate themselves on both the
physical and emotional side effects of the
condition.
How to Help
A strong support base is
critical for those living with post-polio
syndrome as it is likely that among other
positive effects, the chances the condition will
be officially accepted by the medical community
will vastly improve if caregivers acknowledge
PPS and encourage their loved ones to speak out
about it. Fortunately, there are an overwhelming
number of PPS communities and support groups
that have been established to address the
growing concern of post-polio syndrome. These
support groups convene regularly to discuss
life’s challenges associated with PPS and ways
in which individuals can move on and rebuild
their lives.
The creation of these PPS
support groups has garnered the attention of
numerous physicians, who have taken a special
interest in studying the transformation of the
disease and utilizing unique treatments for
individuals living with PPS. Over the last few
years, specialty physicians, including doctors
of osteopathy, acupuncturists, chiropractors and
physical therapists, have treated PPS with
alternative therapies that have served to create
a pathway to a more active, fulfilling life for
their patients.
Life is Possible
Through a recent increase in
awareness and attention, post-polio syndrome has
started gaining traction and validation within
the medical community. And with recent advances
in medicine and technology, breakthrough
treatments that treat the debilitating side
effects of the condition aren’t far away.
It takes a strong will to be
a caregiver for an individual living with an
illness. For caregivers of those with PPS, it is
difficult to be the supportive backbone when all
others have become skeptics and have dismissed
PPS as a serious medical condition. As a result,
these providers are encouraged to discuss the
condition with their loved ones, and in turn,
encourage them to have open communication lines
with physicians, medical professionals, and
fellow polio survivors.
Dr. Henk Snyman is the Chief Executive
Officer and co-founder of Kingfisher Healthcare,
a Belgium-based health care company committed to
providing proprietary natural energy devices and
accessories. He can be reached at
h.snyman@kfhealth.com.
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