What Are The Symptoms Of Polio?

Loss Of Reflexes

Following the muscle weakness, an affected individual who has not been treated begins to experience a loss of reflexes. A reflex is a response by the body that occurs as a reaction to stimulus such as immediately removing the hand when it touches an extremely hot object. Sneezing, coughing, and blinking of the eyes are examples of other automatic reflexes. The reflex physicians usually check in an individual's legs is called the patellar reflex. When the patellar tendon is tapped, it stretches the muscle connected to the tendon. Nerve impulses are transmitted to the spinal cord, indicating this muscle has stretched. Almost immediately, a message is transmitted from the spinal cord back to the muscle. This impulse provokes a quick muscle contraction that causes the lower leg to kick in an outward direction. The patellar reflex is important to an individual's balance, and physicians use it to evaluate nervous system function. Polio patients initially experience agile reflexes and spasms before they rapidly lose reflex function.

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