Overuse syndromes; Was [H] Scurvy & Pellegra (some things thought to be infectiousfoundto vitamin deficiencies)

[Rosemary C. Hyde, Ph.D.]

Actually, Tanya, your example of the woman having polio symptoms 25-30 years
later sounds like the now recognized "post-polio syndrome" -- since the
woman had also had polio itself before the vaccination. What this syndrome
amounts to is the fatigue and wearing out of the compensating muscles that
have been overused by the person who has attempted to function to his or her
maximum capacity over many years of "overcoming the handicap."

Many people who had polio as children experience this syndrome when they
reach their 60s or so.

It must also be said -- and is important for people to know -- that
individuals with various physical disabilities who compensate superbly by
overusing other muscles and joints to approach "normal" activities, suffer
similarly when they reach older ages. For instance, it's common among
"wheelchair athletes" to have to have their shoulders replaced.

My partner, who suffered a birth injury that paralyzed one arm, compensated
all her life, doing everything (including winning prizes for her athletic
performances in such activities as softball pitching!!!) with the other arm.

In her older age, the excessive deterioration of the one remaining usable
shoulder has caused her much pain and suffering. She has often said that no
one, in encouraging her and other children to "overcome their handicaps"
knew to predict the ways in which they would later suffer from having
overused and abused "healthy" body parts. I suspect this still is not
widely known or taught, and it should be.

Rosemary