Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
Other names: Acute idiopathic polyneuritis, Acute inflammatory polyneuropathy, Infectious polyneuritis, Landry-Guillain-Barré syndromer
Guillain-Barré Syndrome,
also known as GBS is a rare autoimmune that attacks
the peripheral nervous system, which are the nerves
that connect the brain to the spinal cord. GBS causes
inflammation of the nerves which interfere with the
brain's ability to send signals through the nerves
to the rest of the body.
Typically the first signs of GBS is weakness and
tingling in your legs that can rapidly spread to your
upper body over a period of hours to days. This can
be a life-threatening condition if the chest and esophagus
are affected. This can make it impossible to breath
and may require a breathing tube to get oxygen into
the patient. Weakness in the facial muscles and sensory
loss is also common with GBS.
GBS syndrome can be difficult to diagnose in its
earliest stages since it's signs and symptoms are
similar to those of other neurological disorders and
vary from person to person. It can strike at any age,
and both sexes are equally prone to the disorder.
The syndrome is fairly rare, afflicting only about
one person in every 100,000.
GBS can occur with other medical conditions such
as systemic lupus erythematosus or Hodgkin's disease.
Some people may get GBS after a bacterial infection,
certain vaccinations (such as rabies and swine flu),
and surgery. GBS can also occur along with viral infections
such as AIDS, Herpes simplex, and Mononucleosis. There's
no known cure for Guillain-Barré syndrome,
but several treatments can ease symptoms and reduce
the duration of the illness. And most people do recover
completely.
Symptoms:
Difficulty putting words in order
Difficulty speaking
Facial weakness
Fluctuations in blood pressure
Fluctuations in heart rate
Inconsistent body temperature
Stiffness and pain in lower spine
Trouble urinating
Weak or absent reflexes
Weakness in legs or thighs
Weakness in the face
Diagnosis:
A spinal tap (lumbar puncture) and nerve function
tests are commonly used to help confirm a diagnosis
of Guillain-Barré syndrome as well as a full
symptom and medical history review after a sudden
onset of weakness/paralysis. Doctors may also run
a nerve function test to determine the electrical
activity of the muscles.
Treatment:
There is no cure, so treatment is aimed at speeding
up the recovery process and reduce the severity of
symptoms. Plasma exchange may be used as a treatment
option to remove the antibodies that are attacking
the nerve system causing GBS. High doses of IV immunoglobulin
may also be an option to block the damaging antibodies
that may contribute to Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Prognosis:
In most cases, with treatment and physiclal therapy,
patients are able to recover quite well and live a
somewhat normal life. Only in most-sever cases are
long-term disabilities a problem.
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