People who had polio when they were children may develop a condition called post-polio syndrome when they get older. Those who get this condition become easily fatigued and have joint and muscle pain and weakness, as well as problems with breathing and swallowing and less tolerance of cold temperatures, according to the Mayo Clinic. Eating properly can ease some of these symptoms.
Treatment
Although there is no cure for post-polio syndrome, there are some things you can do to lessen your symptoms. The most important parts of the treatment involve conserving your energy so you don't get overly fatigued, taking physical therapy to strengthen your muscles and doing occupational therapy to help you make changes to your living environment so it will be safer and more convenient for you. Pain medication may help, as can staying warm and eating a healthy diet, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Weight Control
Keeping your weight within a healthy range is especially important for those who have post-polio syndrome. Extra weight puts pressure on your joints, which are already affected by the post-polio, so you want to make sure you don't gain weight, because this will worsen your symptoms.
Protein
One of the most important parts of the diet for people with post-polio syndrome is protein. You need to eat enough protein to keep up your muscle strength. Dr. Richard L. Bruno, director of the Post-Polio Institute at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in New Jersey, recommends starting out your day with a breakfast containing approximately 16 g of protein.
Considerations
You don't need to follow a high protein diet; you just need to make sure you are getting the recommended amount of protein for a person of your size, according to Dr. Bruno. Choose meals that contain more protein than fat, because you don't want to gain weight. Limit high-sugar snacks, and try to get the recommended amount of vitamins and minerals through your food.
Expert Insight
Dr. Lauro S. Halstead of the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, D.C. advises against limiting your calories drastically. He says that making recommended changes to his own diet improved his symptoms by about 5 percent. Those with post-polio syndrome should speak with a nutritionist for additional advice on how to improve their diets.
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