Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Slowly progressive muscle weakness
- Muscular atrophy
- Muscle spasms
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Difficulty swallowing, breathing, or sleeping
- Intolerance to heat or cold
- Speech problems
- Skeletal deformities, such as scoliosis
Scoliosis
If the symptoms during the first attack of polio were severe, the symptoms of PPS may also be severe.
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. She will also do a neuromuscular exam. PPS may be hard to diagnose because symptoms come and go. They also overlap with other diseases.
Testing often involves electromyography. This measures electrical activity in affected muscles. Other, less common tests may include:
- MRI scan —a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of structures inside the body
- Muscle biopsy —removal of a sample of muscle tissue for testing
- Spinal tap —insertion of a needle between the vertebrae in the lower back to remove cerebrospinal fluid for testing
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2012 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
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