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Dr. Richard Bruno, HD, PhD
Director, International Centre for Polio Education and author of The Polio Paradox
Hosts The Harvest Center’s Post-Polio Coffee House
We share his Tips and Tidbits of PPS information as he shares them.
Every issue of Bruno "Bytes" is available in PDF format at the bottom of this page. Feel free to print and share these.
NOTE: We collaborate with Dr. Bruno to publish Bruno Bytes Quarterly.
Just "Click" on words highlighted in BOLD for the complete article (or) download the PDF version of Bruno Bytes (below).
- - - - -
Dr. Richard Bruno, HD, PhD
Director, International Centre for Polio Education and author of The Polio Paradox
Hosts The Harvest Center’s Post-Polio Coffee House
We share his Tips and Tidbits of PPS information as he shares them.
Every issue of Bruno "Bytes" is available in PDF format at the bottom of this page. Feel free to print and share these.
NOTE: We collaborate with Dr. Bruno to publish Bruno Bytes Quarterly.
Just "Click" on words highlighted in BOLD for the complete article (or) download the PDF version of Bruno Bytes (below).
- - - - -
Bruno Bytes - 2nd Quarter 2020
On the topic of Cancer Treatment and PPS
Question: I am on chemo and last week began a new course that started with Gemcitabine. It turned my legs to jello. Now, 10 days later after stopping that drug, my strength is coming back. Can you tell me anything about how chemo might interact with PPS?
Dr. Bruno’s Response: Chemotherapy agents for cancer can damage the axons ("wires") that come out of your motor neurons and conduct the impulses that turn on your muscles. Chemo agents can also affect the chemistry inside the muscle fibers, which sounds like what may be happening to you.
Poliovirus-damaged motor neurons and overworked muscle fibers may be more easily be weakened by chemo. Talk to your oncologist about the agent that’s best for treating cancer and causes the least muscle weakness.
On the topic of Demylenation studies and Stem Cells
Question: I recently came across a decades old article on demyelination studies for MS patients. Has this progressed in recent years? Is this possibly a treatment for polio survivors? And what about stem cell research?
Dr. Bruno’s Response: Polio survivors do not have demyelination (loss of the myelin sheath around neuron axons that serves as insulation) as do patients with MS. Poliovirus kills the neurons themselves. Also there are a number of articles in the Encyclopedia of Polio and PPS on stem cells being of no use in the treatment of PPS.
Additional Post: In the EMG of my legs, nerve conduction (a measure of demyelination) was normal, but the size of my motor units (the number of muscle fibers “turned on” by one motor neuron) was like quadruple normal. The neurologist said that severely polio-damaged neurons did not lose their myelin sheaths but were simply killed. Then nearby neurons sent out new axon sprouts to activate the muscle cells orphaned after the neurons were killed. Those “remodeled” neurons with their additional axon sprouts are what causes the huge size of my motor units. “Remodeling” is also one way polio patients who were weak or even paralyzed recovered muscle strength…at least until PPS came along.
On the topic of Disinformation from Robert F. Kennedy's Regarding Polio Vaccines
Question: This is from "The Policy Times" (May, 2020) about Robert F. Kennedy's views on vaccination:
"Around 2000 (Bill) Gates was having full control of India’s National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) and promised to share $450 million for eradicating polio, which led to over 50 doses of polio vaccination to children up to the age of five through overlapping vaccination programs. After which Indian doctors attributed the Gates campaign to be devastating for the children. Around 490,000 children have been disabled due to the Non-Polio Acute Flaccid Paralysis (NPAFP) epidemic from 2000 to 2017. After watching out the situation and the increased number of disability of children, The Government of India refused Gates’ vaccine and also raised questions about Gates and his vaccine policies. After which a rapid decline in NPAFP rates was also observed.
In 2017 world health organization admitted that strains of vaccines have been a reason for the increasing rate of polio. Many horrific cases were linked to the vaccines in Congo, Afghanistan, and the Philippines. Vaccine strains were responsible for 70% of global polio cases by 2018."
Dr. Bruno, please address this.
Dr. Bruno’s Response: I read Robert Kennedy, Jr’s confused, careless and unsupported allegations in his article in “The Policy Times.” Just one example of disinformation is Kennedy stating, “A 2017 study (Morgenson et al., 2017) showed that the WHO’s popular DTP vaccine is killing more African children than preventing the disease.” The Morgenson study was published in 2017 but was a review of “diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) and oral polio vaccine (OPV) in one urban community in Guinea-Bissau” in 1980-1983. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5360569
The study measured the mortality rate in 651 children ages 3-5 months; 4.5% of those unvaccinated died compared to 35% receiving the DTP vaccine. However, the mortality rate in children receiving the DTP vaccine plus the OPV dropped to 12%. The article stated that “There were no deaths” following OPV and concluded that “Co-administration of OPV with DTP may have reduced the negative effects of DTP.”
A study of data from the early 1980s can’t be used to support Kennedy’s claim the DTP vaccine “is killing” children today. And Gates’ can’t be blamed, or lauded, for the helpful effects of the OPV in the study since his Global Polio Eradication Initiative was not launched until 1988.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5360569/?fbclid=IwAR1ovOJ9DY5GQ0wBEafiAHYswgA_wOg4u7ys3vqeSrCBOLrryWzg1nyKgxk
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr's confusing and changing "theories" about vaccination for me are not to be trusted. There is no data presented, so I can't comment on the existence of a "Gate's Vaccine" that is causing a problem in India. And "a 70% increase" in polio cases in 2018 -- whether unsubstantiated "horrific cases linked to the vaccines" or those caused by wild poliovirus -- would number a total of just 13 cases world-wide. Thirteen. Beware misused statistics.
However, there have been around 490,000 children disabled due to Non-Poliovirus Acute Flaccid Paralysis from 2000 to 2017. When I was asked by the Indian government in 2013 to establish Post Polio Institutes across India, I reviewed the extensive data from the Indian National Polio Surveillance Program. I found a powerful correlation between the number of oral vaccine doses given each year and the emergence of Non-Poliovirus Acute Flaccid Paralysis.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22591873/
As Albert Sabin found in testing his oral polio vaccine in the 1950s, OPV-induced antibodies eliminate poliovirus in the gut and make room for the growth of non-polio enteroviruses, e.g., Coxsackie and echoviruses https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19712176/
These viruses not only are known to cause paralysis but also are shown by the Indian data to cause nearly three times the number of deaths as do wild polioviruses. India’s estimated 200,000 yearly cases of polio have been replaced by 40,000 to 60,000 cases of Non-Poliovirus Acute Flaccid Paralysis. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6121585/
When I discussed these data with CDC, they were dismissed. When I discussed these data with the Indian government and asked that Non-Poliovirus Acute Flaccid Paralysis patients be treated by the new "Post-Polio" Clinics, I was dismissed.
As the articles in the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics describe, the race to claim credit for “world polio eradication” is extracting a significant monetary, medical and human price. Billions of dollars that could be used to provide clean water and sanitation (which themselves would limit polio cases) are spent only on repeated polio vaccination.
With India’s estimated 200,000 yearly cases of polio being replaced by 40,000 - 60,000 cases of Non-Poliovirus Acute Flaccid Paralysis, would it not be better for India to work toward being proclaimed "paralysis-free" rather than just “polio-free?” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22591873/
On the topic of Email Scams
Dr. Bruno’s Original Post: WARNING: EMAIL SCAMS!
A news item today (6/24/20) warned of a sharp increase in EMAIL SCAMS due to people working from home. My “junk email” folder has jumped from 25+/day to 100+/day in the past week.
Don't open emails from people you don't know, download files or click on unknown links.
The computer you save will be your own!
On the topic of Managing Stress: "The Two Breath Time Out"
Maureen McGovern, two-time Grammy and Tony Award nominee and founder of the "Works Of Heart Project for Music and Healing," has recorded something special for everyone who wants to annihilate stress. Maureen's soothing voice guides you through Dr. Richard Bruno's relaxation exercise, "The Two Breath Time Out," from How to Stop Being Vampire Bait.
"The Two Breath Time Out" guided relaxation recording is now easily available through a direct link in the Encyclopedia of Polio and PPS. You will find it for listening and download, in the Articles section, under the topic: Psychology/Stress Management.
On the topic of Muscle Pain and Estrogen Blockers
Question: I am a 66 year-old polio survivor. I have recently been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. Four years ago I tried all the estrogen blockers and found I could take none of them because of muscle pain. Now that the cancer is back I started taking Ibrance and Letrozol. Today I woke up with severe muscle pain in my arms and legs. Does pain mean my polio muscles will get weaker? I do not want to make my weak legs to get worse.
Dr. Bruno’s Response: There is no evidence that estrogen blockers cause muscle pain by affecting motor neurons. So don’t worry about a “polio effect.” Estrogen blockers may cause pain by increasing sensitivity to pain or may cause inflammation. Ask your oncologist about slowly increasing the initial dose of the medications, taking ibuprofen, adding vitamin D and possibly about prescribing duloxetine. Also putting heat or ice, whichever helps, on the muscle and doing general stretching may be of help.
On the topic of Nigeria being declared Polio Free
Dr. Bruno’s Original Post: “The World Health Organisation, WHO, has declared Nigeria free of wild polio, following the completion of its documentation for the free status. The UN health agency made this known in a tweet via its regional office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, official twitter account on Thursday. According to the agency, Nigeria’s complete documentation for the wild polio virus-free status was accepted by the Africa Regional Certification Commission for polio eradication (ARCC).
“Today, Nigeria’s complete documentation for Wild Polio virus-free status was accepted by the Africa Regional Certification Commission for polio eradication (ARCC).It is a historic day for Nigeria, Africa, and the Global Polio Programme,’’ the tweet reads.
Also, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director and CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), described the documentation as historical. He said “It is an amazing moment in history to have had our polio-eradication documentation accepted by the ARCC.
“The Nigeria team led by NPHCDA and partners demonstrated evidence of our polio-free status.
“Nigeria achieving a Wild Polio Virus-free status today, is significant on multiple fronts.
“I look back, and am happy with the incredible leadership that has brought us here.“
“Apart from President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, the two most important people who have made it possible due to their financial and technological contributions have been Mr. Aliko Dangote and Mr. Bill Gates.
“Thanks for this unquantifiable gift to Nigeria,’’ he added.
https://dailypost.ng/2020/06/19/who-declares-nigeria-polio-free/?fbclid=IwAR0DN0ZpysCHhZgTRdoz0hiN52URHCBgcqfWhQ8f_MYyweCq-zHLiH9f1B4
On the topic of Polio: Forgotten, Not Gone
Dr. Bruno’s Original Post: Since 2019 and before COVID, the poliovirus has begun to spread again with a continued upswing in 2020.
Wild Poliovirus:
Mutated Oral Polio Vaccine-Derived polio:
Dr. Bruno’s Original Post: International Scoliosis Day 2020: The importance of timely treatment in Scoliosis
The primary and usual symptoms of scoliosis include back pain, and depending upon the position of the curve in the spine, other symptoms may vary.
By Dr SK Rajan June 27, 2020
“Attributing to manifold reasons, India is a home to the largest number of cases of spinal deformities. The major causes include accidents, social violence, nutrition deficiency, post-polio complications and congenital problems. While scoliosis is one of the underrated spinal complications in its mild form, yet the society has stigmatized such patients. Every year the month of June is dedicated to raise awareness about the condition and this year 27th June (Last Saturday) is observed International Scoliosis day. Timely detection and treatment can help in treating the condition, creating awareness among the masses is as much important.
Question: I am on chemo and last week began a new course that started with Gemcitabine. It turned my legs to jello. Now, 10 days later after stopping that drug, my strength is coming back. Can you tell me anything about how chemo might interact with PPS?
Dr. Bruno’s Response: Chemotherapy agents for cancer can damage the axons ("wires") that come out of your motor neurons and conduct the impulses that turn on your muscles. Chemo agents can also affect the chemistry inside the muscle fibers, which sounds like what may be happening to you.
Poliovirus-damaged motor neurons and overworked muscle fibers may be more easily be weakened by chemo. Talk to your oncologist about the agent that’s best for treating cancer and causes the least muscle weakness.
On the topic of Demylenation studies and Stem Cells
Question: I recently came across a decades old article on demyelination studies for MS patients. Has this progressed in recent years? Is this possibly a treatment for polio survivors? And what about stem cell research?
Dr. Bruno’s Response: Polio survivors do not have demyelination (loss of the myelin sheath around neuron axons that serves as insulation) as do patients with MS. Poliovirus kills the neurons themselves. Also there are a number of articles in the Encyclopedia of Polio and PPS on stem cells being of no use in the treatment of PPS.
Additional Post: In the EMG of my legs, nerve conduction (a measure of demyelination) was normal, but the size of my motor units (the number of muscle fibers “turned on” by one motor neuron) was like quadruple normal. The neurologist said that severely polio-damaged neurons did not lose their myelin sheaths but were simply killed. Then nearby neurons sent out new axon sprouts to activate the muscle cells orphaned after the neurons were killed. Those “remodeled” neurons with their additional axon sprouts are what causes the huge size of my motor units. “Remodeling” is also one way polio patients who were weak or even paralyzed recovered muscle strength…at least until PPS came along.
On the topic of Disinformation from Robert F. Kennedy's Regarding Polio Vaccines
Question: This is from "The Policy Times" (May, 2020) about Robert F. Kennedy's views on vaccination:
"Around 2000 (Bill) Gates was having full control of India’s National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) and promised to share $450 million for eradicating polio, which led to over 50 doses of polio vaccination to children up to the age of five through overlapping vaccination programs. After which Indian doctors attributed the Gates campaign to be devastating for the children. Around 490,000 children have been disabled due to the Non-Polio Acute Flaccid Paralysis (NPAFP) epidemic from 2000 to 2017. After watching out the situation and the increased number of disability of children, The Government of India refused Gates’ vaccine and also raised questions about Gates and his vaccine policies. After which a rapid decline in NPAFP rates was also observed.
In 2017 world health organization admitted that strains of vaccines have been a reason for the increasing rate of polio. Many horrific cases were linked to the vaccines in Congo, Afghanistan, and the Philippines. Vaccine strains were responsible for 70% of global polio cases by 2018."
Dr. Bruno, please address this.
Dr. Bruno’s Response: I read Robert Kennedy, Jr’s confused, careless and unsupported allegations in his article in “The Policy Times.” Just one example of disinformation is Kennedy stating, “A 2017 study (Morgenson et al., 2017) showed that the WHO’s popular DTP vaccine is killing more African children than preventing the disease.” The Morgenson study was published in 2017 but was a review of “diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) and oral polio vaccine (OPV) in one urban community in Guinea-Bissau” in 1980-1983. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5360569
The study measured the mortality rate in 651 children ages 3-5 months; 4.5% of those unvaccinated died compared to 35% receiving the DTP vaccine. However, the mortality rate in children receiving the DTP vaccine plus the OPV dropped to 12%. The article stated that “There were no deaths” following OPV and concluded that “Co-administration of OPV with DTP may have reduced the negative effects of DTP.”
A study of data from the early 1980s can’t be used to support Kennedy’s claim the DTP vaccine “is killing” children today. And Gates’ can’t be blamed, or lauded, for the helpful effects of the OPV in the study since his Global Polio Eradication Initiative was not launched until 1988.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5360569/?fbclid=IwAR1ovOJ9DY5GQ0wBEafiAHYswgA_wOg4u7ys3vqeSrCBOLrryWzg1nyKgxk
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr's confusing and changing "theories" about vaccination for me are not to be trusted. There is no data presented, so I can't comment on the existence of a "Gate's Vaccine" that is causing a problem in India. And "a 70% increase" in polio cases in 2018 -- whether unsubstantiated "horrific cases linked to the vaccines" or those caused by wild poliovirus -- would number a total of just 13 cases world-wide. Thirteen. Beware misused statistics.
However, there have been around 490,000 children disabled due to Non-Poliovirus Acute Flaccid Paralysis from 2000 to 2017. When I was asked by the Indian government in 2013 to establish Post Polio Institutes across India, I reviewed the extensive data from the Indian National Polio Surveillance Program. I found a powerful correlation between the number of oral vaccine doses given each year and the emergence of Non-Poliovirus Acute Flaccid Paralysis.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22591873/
As Albert Sabin found in testing his oral polio vaccine in the 1950s, OPV-induced antibodies eliminate poliovirus in the gut and make room for the growth of non-polio enteroviruses, e.g., Coxsackie and echoviruses https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19712176/
These viruses not only are known to cause paralysis but also are shown by the Indian data to cause nearly three times the number of deaths as do wild polioviruses. India’s estimated 200,000 yearly cases of polio have been replaced by 40,000 to 60,000 cases of Non-Poliovirus Acute Flaccid Paralysis. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6121585/
When I discussed these data with CDC, they were dismissed. When I discussed these data with the Indian government and asked that Non-Poliovirus Acute Flaccid Paralysis patients be treated by the new "Post-Polio" Clinics, I was dismissed.
As the articles in the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics describe, the race to claim credit for “world polio eradication” is extracting a significant monetary, medical and human price. Billions of dollars that could be used to provide clean water and sanitation (which themselves would limit polio cases) are spent only on repeated polio vaccination.
With India’s estimated 200,000 yearly cases of polio being replaced by 40,000 - 60,000 cases of Non-Poliovirus Acute Flaccid Paralysis, would it not be better for India to work toward being proclaimed "paralysis-free" rather than just “polio-free?” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22591873/
On the topic of Email Scams
Dr. Bruno’s Original Post: WARNING: EMAIL SCAMS!
A news item today (6/24/20) warned of a sharp increase in EMAIL SCAMS due to people working from home. My “junk email” folder has jumped from 25+/day to 100+/day in the past week.
Don't open emails from people you don't know, download files or click on unknown links.
The computer you save will be your own!
On the topic of Managing Stress: "The Two Breath Time Out"
Maureen McGovern, two-time Grammy and Tony Award nominee and founder of the "Works Of Heart Project for Music and Healing," has recorded something special for everyone who wants to annihilate stress. Maureen's soothing voice guides you through Dr. Richard Bruno's relaxation exercise, "The Two Breath Time Out," from How to Stop Being Vampire Bait.
"The Two Breath Time Out" guided relaxation recording is now easily available through a direct link in the Encyclopedia of Polio and PPS. You will find it for listening and download, in the Articles section, under the topic: Psychology/Stress Management.
On the topic of Muscle Pain and Estrogen Blockers
Question: I am a 66 year-old polio survivor. I have recently been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. Four years ago I tried all the estrogen blockers and found I could take none of them because of muscle pain. Now that the cancer is back I started taking Ibrance and Letrozol. Today I woke up with severe muscle pain in my arms and legs. Does pain mean my polio muscles will get weaker? I do not want to make my weak legs to get worse.
Dr. Bruno’s Response: There is no evidence that estrogen blockers cause muscle pain by affecting motor neurons. So don’t worry about a “polio effect.” Estrogen blockers may cause pain by increasing sensitivity to pain or may cause inflammation. Ask your oncologist about slowly increasing the initial dose of the medications, taking ibuprofen, adding vitamin D and possibly about prescribing duloxetine. Also putting heat or ice, whichever helps, on the muscle and doing general stretching may be of help.
On the topic of Nigeria being declared Polio Free
Dr. Bruno’s Original Post: “The World Health Organisation, WHO, has declared Nigeria free of wild polio, following the completion of its documentation for the free status. The UN health agency made this known in a tweet via its regional office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, official twitter account on Thursday. According to the agency, Nigeria’s complete documentation for the wild polio virus-free status was accepted by the Africa Regional Certification Commission for polio eradication (ARCC).
“Today, Nigeria’s complete documentation for Wild Polio virus-free status was accepted by the Africa Regional Certification Commission for polio eradication (ARCC).It is a historic day for Nigeria, Africa, and the Global Polio Programme,’’ the tweet reads.
Also, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director and CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), described the documentation as historical. He said “It is an amazing moment in history to have had our polio-eradication documentation accepted by the ARCC.
“The Nigeria team led by NPHCDA and partners demonstrated evidence of our polio-free status.
“Nigeria achieving a Wild Polio Virus-free status today, is significant on multiple fronts.
“I look back, and am happy with the incredible leadership that has brought us here.“
“Apart from President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, the two most important people who have made it possible due to their financial and technological contributions have been Mr. Aliko Dangote and Mr. Bill Gates.
“Thanks for this unquantifiable gift to Nigeria,’’ he added.
https://dailypost.ng/2020/06/19/who-declares-nigeria-polio-free/?fbclid=IwAR0DN0ZpysCHhZgTRdoz0hiN52URHCBgcqfWhQ8f_MYyweCq-zHLiH9f1B4
On the topic of Polio: Forgotten, Not Gone
Dr. Bruno’s Original Post: Since 2019 and before COVID, the poliovirus has begun to spread again with a continued upswing in 2020.
Wild Poliovirus:
- Significant increase in wild poliovirus cases globally in 2019 and 2020, with 175 cases in 2019 compared to 33 in 2018, and 32 cases already as of March 2020 (37% increase from 2018), compared to six for the same period in 2019, with no significant success yet in reversing this trend.
- In 2018 Venezuela had first case of polio since 1989.
- In Pakistan and Afghanistan still have polio cases. War and religious suppression sometimes make vaccination impossible, as vaccinators are being assassinated in Pakistan. www.dawn.com/news/1521526
- December 2019: Malaysia had the country’s first reported case since 1992. Its resurgence was just months after the Philippines’ September report of its first cases of polio since 1993.
Mutated Oral Polio Vaccine-Derived polio:
- Spread through West Africa and Lake Chad (Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Togo and Zambia), Somalia, Indonesia, Myanmar and Burkina Faso. https://centerforvaccineethicsandpolicy.net/2020/04/12/polio/
Dr. Bruno’s Original Post: International Scoliosis Day 2020: The importance of timely treatment in Scoliosis
The primary and usual symptoms of scoliosis include back pain, and depending upon the position of the curve in the spine, other symptoms may vary.
By Dr SK Rajan June 27, 2020
“Attributing to manifold reasons, India is a home to the largest number of cases of spinal deformities. The major causes include accidents, social violence, nutrition deficiency, post-polio complications and congenital problems. While scoliosis is one of the underrated spinal complications in its mild form, yet the society has stigmatized such patients. Every year the month of June is dedicated to raise awareness about the condition and this year 27th June (Last Saturday) is observed International Scoliosis day. Timely detection and treatment can help in treating the condition, creating awareness among the masses is as much important.
What is scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a deformity when the spine becomes abnormally curved sideways. In most of the cases the cause is not known and it develops and seems noticeable around the teen age. A person is said to have scoliosis when the curve measures more than 10 degrees. Severe spinal curve reduces the amount of space within the chest making it difficult for the lungs to function.
Causes of Scoliosis
1. Idiopathic – Most of the time, the exact cause and reasons are unknown, which is known as idiopathic.
2. Known cause – when the scoliosis has clear causes. It is categorized into two –
4. Neuromuscular- This is seen in conditions like poliomyelitis, spinal muscular atrophy, cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, where the deformity is a result of weakness in the muscles supporting the back. As a result of this, the patient collapses whenever they try to sit up.
5. Degenerative – This is commonly found in the geriatric population. As we age, the Bone Mineral Density reduces and the disks and joints of the spine wear out leading to formation of a curve in the lower back.
What are the types of Curve?
Most often the curve looks like a C-shaped and when there are two major curves it appears in the shape of S, commonly known as Double major curve.
1. Dextro-scoliosis – when the inclination is towards the right side of the spine.
The primary and usual symptoms of scoliosis include back pain, and depending upon the position of the curve in the spine, other symptoms may vary. For instance, if the curve is major in the lumbar part, the patient will only feel back pain, but if the curve involves the thoracic spine, back pain may be accompanied by breathing difficulties, reduced lung functions and even heart lung functioning may be compromised. Sometimes in mild to moderate cases (when the angle of the curve is small, the condition is misunderstood for osteoarthritic pain.
As a consequence, depending on the position and severity of the condition a person may develop the following physical traits –
1. Observation:
A patient with very mild curves is kept under observation before opting for the correct treatment module.
2. Bracing:
In mild to moderate curves in children who are of growing age, braces will help.
3. Spinal Fusion surgery (Deformity Correction and fusion):
When the curve is significant and is still progressive, especially close to skeletal maturity, deformity correction and fusion surgery is performed where the bent or curved structure is held using pedicle screws, hooks and wires to keep the spine straight and still.
And when this surgery is performed under the guidance of neuromonitoring and navigation, it helps in relating the position of the surgical instrument accurately in the real time thus increasing the accuracy, lessening the operating time.
Moreover, it makes the surgical procedure safe without any complications and ensures a quicker recovery.”
(The author is Head, Spine Surgery, Agrim institute of Neurosciences, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram. Views are personal)
https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/health/international-scoliosis-day-2020-the-importance-of-timely-treatment-in-scoliosis/2005885/?fbclid=IwAR13NpvvRVUgzUrSsy8F6Js0UxNXBhwgqZuQergh-i24MrfwO6QHSpMJwCU
On the topic of Stem Cell Therapy for PPS
Question: Stem cell injections – are they something to consider for PPS?
Additional Post: I asked a doctor (who knows a lot about post polio issues) if it would help my knees (as I have no cartilage in either). He told me it would be a waste of money
Dr. Bruno’s Response: Stem Cells and IVIg. Once again, questions are coming up about these two “Non-traditional” Treatments for PPS.
Check out the Encyclopedia of Polio and PPS Articles Section: under the topic of - Treatment (Non-Traditional).
In addition you can go to the Encyclopedia of Polio and PPS Index By Subject. (There is a direct link from the Encyclopedia Main Page). Once you have opened up the Index you can hit “Control F”.
Enter stem cells or IVIG in the search box that comes up.
As of the date of this publication, you will find 10 entries for Stem Cells and 25 entries for IVIG.
(Encyclopedia and Bruno Bytes comments/article references will come up in the Index).
Scoliosis is a deformity when the spine becomes abnormally curved sideways. In most of the cases the cause is not known and it develops and seems noticeable around the teen age. A person is said to have scoliosis when the curve measures more than 10 degrees. Severe spinal curve reduces the amount of space within the chest making it difficult for the lungs to function.
Causes of Scoliosis
1. Idiopathic – Most of the time, the exact cause and reasons are unknown, which is known as idiopathic.
2. Known cause – when the scoliosis has clear causes. It is categorized into two –
- Non-structural – The spine looks curved but no substantial hindrance in the functioning of the spine. Sometimes when one leg is longer than the other, it becomes a reason for the curve to form.
- Structural – the causes for structural scoliosis includes birth defects, cerebral palsy, infections or muscular dystrophy. In this condition the spinal curve becomes rigid and is difficult to treat.
4. Neuromuscular- This is seen in conditions like poliomyelitis, spinal muscular atrophy, cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, where the deformity is a result of weakness in the muscles supporting the back. As a result of this, the patient collapses whenever they try to sit up.
5. Degenerative – This is commonly found in the geriatric population. As we age, the Bone Mineral Density reduces and the disks and joints of the spine wear out leading to formation of a curve in the lower back.
What are the types of Curve?
Most often the curve looks like a C-shaped and when there are two major curves it appears in the shape of S, commonly known as Double major curve.
1. Dextro-scoliosis – when the inclination is towards the right side of the spine.
- Right thoracic
- Right thoracolumbar
- Right Lumbar
- Left thoracic
- Left thoracolumbar
- Left Lumbar
The primary and usual symptoms of scoliosis include back pain, and depending upon the position of the curve in the spine, other symptoms may vary. For instance, if the curve is major in the lumbar part, the patient will only feel back pain, but if the curve involves the thoracic spine, back pain may be accompanied by breathing difficulties, reduced lung functions and even heart lung functioning may be compromised. Sometimes in mild to moderate cases (when the angle of the curve is small, the condition is misunderstood for osteoarthritic pain.
As a consequence, depending on the position and severity of the condition a person may develop the following physical traits –
- Cosmetic deformity – Pertaining to the cosmetic appeal, many patients with scoliosis may undergo psychological trauma due to repetitive questioning.
- Irregular symmetry – the body may appear with one shoulder or hip higher than the other
- Imbalanced trunk – A person may appear to be vertically tilted from one side.
- Walking difficulties – As the person with scoliosis may have longer legs, they may feel difficulties in walking.
1. Observation:
A patient with very mild curves is kept under observation before opting for the correct treatment module.
2. Bracing:
In mild to moderate curves in children who are of growing age, braces will help.
3. Spinal Fusion surgery (Deformity Correction and fusion):
When the curve is significant and is still progressive, especially close to skeletal maturity, deformity correction and fusion surgery is performed where the bent or curved structure is held using pedicle screws, hooks and wires to keep the spine straight and still.
And when this surgery is performed under the guidance of neuromonitoring and navigation, it helps in relating the position of the surgical instrument accurately in the real time thus increasing the accuracy, lessening the operating time.
Moreover, it makes the surgical procedure safe without any complications and ensures a quicker recovery.”
(The author is Head, Spine Surgery, Agrim institute of Neurosciences, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram. Views are personal)
https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/health/international-scoliosis-day-2020-the-importance-of-timely-treatment-in-scoliosis/2005885/?fbclid=IwAR13NpvvRVUgzUrSsy8F6Js0UxNXBhwgqZuQergh-i24MrfwO6QHSpMJwCU
On the topic of Stem Cell Therapy for PPS
Question: Stem cell injections – are they something to consider for PPS?
Additional Post: I asked a doctor (who knows a lot about post polio issues) if it would help my knees (as I have no cartilage in either). He told me it would be a waste of money
Dr. Bruno’s Response: Stem Cells and IVIg. Once again, questions are coming up about these two “Non-traditional” Treatments for PPS.
Check out the Encyclopedia of Polio and PPS Articles Section: under the topic of - Treatment (Non-Traditional).
In addition you can go to the Encyclopedia of Polio and PPS Index By Subject. (There is a direct link from the Encyclopedia Main Page). Once you have opened up the Index you can hit “Control F”.
Enter stem cells or IVIG in the search box that comes up.
As of the date of this publication, you will find 10 entries for Stem Cells and 25 entries for IVIG.
(Encyclopedia and Bruno Bytes comments/article references will come up in the Index).
"Post-Polio Fatigue" Log Here
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Complete "Bruno Bytes" from Previous Months - in easily printable PDF format below
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2020
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2019
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2018
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2017
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2016
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2015 and 2014
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“Bruno Bytes” – How it all began
“Bruno Bytes” are published monthly, through a combined effort between Dr. Richard L. Bruno, HD, PhD (biography above) and
the Pa. Polio Survivor’s Network. They are answers to questions posted in the “Post-Polio Coffee House” (on Facebook).
This partnership began in November, 2014.
“Bruno Bytes” help to teach polio survivors, spouses, caregivers and health care professionals about the many and varied topics related to the physical and emotional issues associated with having had polio and managing PPS.
“Bruno Bytes” are for education only and any personal treatment plan must be determined in association with a PPS knowledgeable health care professional.
“Bruno Bytes” are published monthly, through a combined effort between Dr. Richard L. Bruno, HD, PhD (biography above) and
the Pa. Polio Survivor’s Network. They are answers to questions posted in the “Post-Polio Coffee House” (on Facebook).
This partnership began in November, 2014.
“Bruno Bytes” help to teach polio survivors, spouses, caregivers and health care professionals about the many and varied topics related to the physical and emotional issues associated with having had polio and managing PPS.
“Bruno Bytes” are for education only and any personal treatment plan must be determined in association with a PPS knowledgeable health care professional.