What are the treatments for polio?

When a child is diagnosed with polio, it is very difficult to treat, and if the treatment is not timely, it may cause some sequelae to the child. In severe cases, severe muscle atrophy occurs, it is difficult to walk independently, and the child may become paralyzed. So what are the methods for treating polio? Let's introduce them to you in detail below.

The principles of treatment are to alleviate fear, reduce bone deformities, prevent and manage complications, and provide rehabilitation treatment.

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 moist heat every 2 to 4 hours for 15 to 30 minutes each time. Hot water baths are also effective, especially for young children, and have a synergistic effect when used in combination with analgesics. Mild passive exercise can prevent 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 feeding by gastric tube in the first few days and use intravenous route to supplement 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 need tracheotomy, and those with impaired ventilation need mechanical assisted breathing.

We have introduced here the methods of treating polio. When treating this disease, we need to let the child pay attention to activities so that the child's muscles can recover and not be paralyzed. And it can be treated with Chinese medicine, acupuncture and other treatment methods, the effect will be better.