Yes, polio victims can feel. Poliomyelitis is a virus that can attack and damage nerve cells, causing paralysis of the muscles. Depending on which muscles are affected, the individual may experience varying levels of sensation and/or mobility recovery.
Generally speaking, most people affected with polio will have some feeling in the affected area, even if it is below normal. Sensations associated with the affected area will depend on how much nerve damage was sustained.
For some individuals, these sensations may range between minor and severe pain or even a tingling feeling. Additionally, the areas of the body that were not directly affected by the virus may remain fully functional and still feel touch, heat, cold and other sensations.
Depending on the extent of the paralysis, some polio victims may also retain some degree of joint movement or muscle control which will enable them to feel sensations.
Do people with polio feel pain?
Yes, people with polio can feel pain, although sometimes it may present differently than most people experience. In polio, nerve damage can cause some changes in how people perceive pain. People who have had post-poliomyelitis syndrome (PPS) may experience pain from muscle tightness and spasticity, especially in the legs and spine.
This can be muscle pain, joint pain, or a feeling of deep pain in the affected muscle. It can worsen with activity or during periods of stress or tiredness, and can feel like burning, tightness, or aching.
Other types of pain that can occur with PPS include neuropathic pain, which often causes a feeling of burning in the arms and legs, and radiculopathy pain, which can cause a deep ache or electric shock-like sensations.
It is important to note that the type, intensity, and frequency of pain experienced by individuals with polio can vary.
What do you feel when you have polio?
The symptoms of polio range widely depending on the individual, but typically include fever, fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, neck pain, and/or severe limb pain. Some may also experience weakness in the arms and/or legs and lack of reflexes.
In some cases, the virus may cause tenderness of the spine, an inability to pass urine, paralysis of the facial muscles and even respiratory paralysis. In some severe cases, polio can even be fatal.
The physical discomfort caused by polio can be significant. Common symptoms include muscle aches, pain in the abdomen, stiffness in the limbs, and joint pain. Additionally, people with polio often feel weak and lack energy.
They may have difficulty doing everyday activities such as standing, walking, or taking care of themselves.
The emotional impact of polio can be just as powerful as the physical symptoms. People with polio may have difficulty in social situations, worry about passing the virus to others, and feel frustrated at their reduced level of mobility and activity.
The added weight of social stigma and a feeling of being “different” can also be very burdensome.
What happens physically to a person who gets polio?
Polio is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that lives in the throat and intestinal tract. It can attack the central nervous system and affects the brain and spinal cord, leading to paralysis, usually in the legs, but in some cases, more severe forms could paralyze the arms, neck and even the diaphragm, leading to difficulty breathing without assistance.
In the most severe cases, polio can lead to the patient being permanently paralyzed, requiring lifelong aid. Milder cases of polio can result in fever, fatigue, headache, sore muscles, nausea and even a stiff neck.
In some cases, polio can cause inflammation of the brain, leading to mental impairment. Although rare, death can also result from paralysis of muscles used in breathing. Vaccinations are the best way to prevent polio.
While there is no cure for polio, treatments focus on relieving symptoms and helping the patient to cope with the effects of the virus.
How long do polio survivors live?
The average life expectancy of a polio survivor is around 70 years. However, it can vary widely depending on age at the time of diagnosis, severity of the disease, pre-existing medical conditions and other factors.
Many survivors are still alive today, and they are living healthy, productive lives into their 80s and 90s and beyond.
For those who experienced even mild paralysis due to polio, life expectancy and health may be limited not just by the virus but by complications such as post-polio syndrome or atelectasis, which is a lack of oxygen in the lungs due to the narrowing of the airways.
People who had more severe cases of the disease can also have difficulties with breathing, muscle weakness and fatigue. These symptoms may cause difficulties in daily activities and thus impair ones’ ability to lead a full life, reducing their life expectancy.
Overall, with proper care, lifestyle and regular medical attention, people who have had polio can live and thrive for many years.
Can polio survivors walk?
The answer to this question depends on the severity of the polio symptoms. Many people who had polio as children are able to walk, although some may experience limitations such as fatigue and weakness in the legs.
More severe cases may have affected the respiratory system, resulting in muscle weakness and a lack of coordination that affects the ability to walk. Polio can range from mild to severe, and the effects vary from person to person.
In some cases, physical therapy and other interventions may help patients increase their mobility and strength. It is important to note that the use of mobility aids such as canes, walkers and braces can also help polio survivors to maintain their mobility and stay as active as possible.
What happens to polio victims?
Polio victims can experience a variety of debilitating effects from the virus, including the disease’s most common symptom, paralysis. This paralysis can be temporary, affecting certain muscles for a few weeks or months, or lifelong, leading to debilitating conditions such as breathing difficulties and chronic pain.
Other common polio symptoms include weak muscle tone, muscle pain, and fatigue, which can last even after the virus is no longer active. In some cases, polio victims can experience irreversible paralytic post-polio syndrome, which can cause further muscle weakness and pain.
Other neuropsychological complications of polio include memory and thinking problems, as well as partial blindness and hearing loss. Many of these symptoms can be treated with physical and occupational therapy, as well as medications.
In severe cases, oxygen therapy and artificial ventilation are recommended to help maintain breathing function. The prognosis for polio victims depends on the severity of the virus and the individual’s situation, but with proper care, many are able to manage their symptoms and lead independent and fulfilling lives.
How did people in an iron lung go to the bathroom?
People who used iron lungs during the first half of the twentieth century, when these ventilators were used to treat respiratory ailments like polio, had to wear a specially adapted bag when they went to the bathroom.
The bag was connected to the patient’s clothing and the bag was connected to the iron lung via suction tubes. The vacuum pressure of the ventilator was used to open and close the valve in the bag, which created a flow of urine or feces that would be emptied into a nearby container.
To keep the bag from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria and other organisms, it was often filled with metal salts or a disinfectant.
Aside from using the bag, some people in iron lungs devised their own deluxe version of this same technology. According to one survivor of polio and the iron lung, a small drainage pan was placed directly under the ventilator and a large tube was held over the edge of the bedpan to allow the patient to urinate into the pan without the need for a bag.
This system was by no means perfect, but it did provide the patient with a degree of mobility and independence that he or she would not otherwise have had.
Regardless of the method used, going to the bathroom was an everyday challenge for people in iron lungs. This challenge was even more daunting for those whose paralysis made them completely dependent on the ventilator.
With the passage of time and the invention of new technologies, this once unthinkable task has become easier and less intrusive.
Is polio Painful?
Yes, polio is a painful virus. It can cause a range of symptoms including muscle pain, fatigue, and stiffness, as well as achy joints, sore throat, and fever. Polio is also a paralytic illness, meaning it can lead to muscle weakness and paralysis.
People living with polio can experience debilitating muscle spasms, cramps, and joint stiffness that can make even the most simple tasks difficult. They may also have difficulty walking, feel muscle fatigue, and experience pain in the limbs.
Muscle pain can be very intense and may last for weeks or months. Compounding the pain, is the physical disability caused by paralysis. In extreme cases, polio can even lead to death. Fortunately, due to widespread immunization, polio has largely been eradicated.
Can people recover from polio paralysis?
Yes, it is possible for people to recover from polio paralysis. Recovery depends on the severity of the paralysis, how long the paralysis has been present, and the individual’s age, general health, and will to recover.
With proper rehabilitation and treatment, people with polio can often recover muscle function and experience significant improvement in limb strength and independence. Physical therapy and exercise may be used to help build muscle strength and increase coordination.
Assistive devices, such as insulated orthotics, leg braces, and canes, may also be employed to help improve mobility and reduce the risk of falls. In certain cases, surgery may be needed to address bone and joint changes that can occur as a result of polio.
With the progress of modern medicine, many people have been able to improve function following paralysis from polio. It is also important for people to stay informed about relevant treatments and therapies to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Is paralysis from polio permanent?
It depends. Polio can cause either temporary or permanent paralysis depending on how severe the case is. Temporary paralysis, although debilitating, may improve over the course of several weeks without any permanent disabilities.
However, if the virus is severe, permanent paralysis and deformities can remain for years after the virus has gone. In severe cases, the affected parts of the body, such as the limbs, remain immobile and are unable to bear weight or to perform normal everyday functions.
It is also possible for some individuals to develop post-polio syndrome, which is a condition that can cause paralysis again, even after the polio virus has been cleared from the body. The most important factor that determines if paralysis is permanent is the severity of the initial attack.
Can polio leg be cured?
No, unfortunately polio cannot currently be cured. However, there are treatments and therapies that can help with the symptoms associated with polio leg, such as physical therapy, braces, and orthotics.
Additionally, there are medications that may help ease the pain and discomfort associated with leg paralysis due to polio. Depending on the individual, some people may experience improvements in their leg function following these treatments and therapies, allowing them to more easily move and manage their condition.
Ultimately, the goal of treatment is to improve functioning, reduce pain, and help individuals with polio lead as fulfilling a life as possible.
