Treatment of post-poliomyelitis syndrome

The treatment of polio is actually not a very complicated process. As long as you actively cooperate, the disease will eventually be cured. The principle of treatment for polio is to reduce fear, reduce bone deformities, prevent and treat complications, and enable recovery. Therefore, don't have any psychological pressure. Let us take a detailed look at the treatment methods for the sequelae of mild polio.

1. Bed rest

The patient should stay in bed until the fever subsides for 1 week, and then avoid physical activity for at least 2 weeks. When lying in bed, use a footrest to keep the foot and calf at a correct angle to facilitate functional recovery.

2. Symptomatic treatment

Antipyretics, analgesics and sedatives can be used to relieve muscle spasms, discomfort and pain throughout the body; apply hot compresses every 2 to 4 hours for 15 to 30 minutes each time; hot baths are also effective, especially for young children, and have a synergistic effect when used in combination with analgesics; slight passive exercise can avoid deformities.

3. Paralysis

(1) Correct posture: When lying in bed, the patient's body should be in a straight line, with the knees slightly bent. The hips and spine can be straightened with a board or sandbag, and the ankle joint should be at 90 degrees. Active and passive exercises should be performed immediately after the pain disappears to avoid bone deformities.

(2) Proper nutrition: A nutritious diet and plenty of water should be given. If sweating is caused by high ambient temperature or hot compresses, sodium salt should be supplemented. In case of anorexia, a gastric tube can be used to ensure food and water intake.

(3) Drug treatment: Drugs that promote nerve conduction function, such as dimethoate.

(4) Bulbar paralysis: ① Keep the airway open: use a low head position (raise the bed legs to 20° to 25°) to prevent inhalation of saliva, food, vomit, etc. Avoid gastric tube feeding in the first few days and use intravenous nutrition; ② Measure blood pressure twice a day. If hypertensive encephalopathy occurs, it should be treated promptly; ③ Those with vocal cord paralysis and respiratory muscle paralysis require tracheotomy, and those with impaired ventilation require mechanical assisted breathing.

After reading the treatment methods for the sequelae of mild poliomyelitis, everyone should have some understanding of the treatment of the disease. In fact, any disease itself is not terrible. As long as we have tenacious perseverance and a positive cooperative attitude, we don’t have to be afraid of the disease. Sooner or later, we will overcome the difficulties.