Affected With Polio. What Treatment Can Be Given To Improve The Life Style?

Posted on Thu, 2 Jan 2014

Question: Hi my friend (female) is effected from polio her right hand is too week and not able to pick her hand without support of another hand. Her age is 25 now. She is of weight 42 Kg i.e. too week. Could any one can suggest that can we get any treatment to made her right hand working like left hand can improve here life styple

Answered by Dr. Rhea Chanda (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: physiotherapy Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX Polio is a disease that affects the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system . It's a virus which attacks the body and there is no permanent cure from it to. In your friend's case if her hand is affected the best to deal with it is aggressive physiotherapy to help strengthen the muscles of the hand for use . Consult a physiotherapist about that affects. She probably wont gain full function of the hand but with physiotherapy she will be able to function better . Her daily quality of life should be better .

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rhea Chanda (9 hours later)

Can you suggest some good Dr. or hospital near to mumbai. Also want to know as she is under weight and about 40 Kg in the age of 25 can we give some suppliment for weight gain like endura mass etc. available in market. What are the risk factor involve.

Answered by Dr. Rhea Chanda (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: no supplements yet Detailed Answer: Do not give her any dietary supplements without consulting a dietician . First consult a dietitican and get a diet chart to help increase weight . It should be rich in protein and carbs . She needs to bilud muscle mass . Supplements should be given only if the diet chart doesn't work . All major hospitals like breach candy or hinduja have physiotherapy departments . For most treatments certain equipment is required . And those are available in hospital settings . Hence it's advisable to do the physiotherapy at a hospital settings. JJ hospital also has a good physio dept . Though it may be crowded .

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rhea Chanda (4 hours later)

Is family life of her will be as good as normal lady or some treatment or special precautions shall be taken. Also is there any chance of increase in problem w.r.t. muscle weakness or anything which is related to polio post effect with the age. Also is there any chance that her kid will be effected with the same problem if yes is there any treatment or pre treatment available.

Answered by Dr. Rhea Chanda (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer: not 100 % normal life Detailed Answer: Firstly polio is not genetic or hereditary . If her child is vaccinated there should be no problem . As i mentioned before she will not get 100 % function back but it will get better if only a limb is affected . Polio is a childhood disease which . By the time the person is an adult he or she is fully affected . In extreme cases paralysis or nervous system complications are seen in the adult . But it depends how much she has been affected . When a physiotherapist reassesses her then the extent of the disease and muscle damage will be clear . Then he can give you a better idea about recovery chances . But don't expect complete recovery like that of a normal woman . Many polio patients lead a complete life with treatment .

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar