Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves. Weakness and tingling in your extremities are usually the first symptoms.

These sensations can quickly spread, eventually paralyzing your whole body. In its most severe form Guillain-Barre syndrome is a medical emergency. Most people with the condition must be hospitalized to receive treatment

Symptoms

Guillain-Barre syndrome often begins with tingling and weakness starting in your feet and legs and spreading to your upper body and arms. In about 10 percent of people with the disorder, symptoms begin in the arms or face. As Guillain-Barre syndrome progresses, muscle weakness can evolve into paralysis.

Signs and symptoms of Guillain-Barre syndrome may include:

• Sensations in your fingers, toes, ankles or wrists
• Weakness in your legs that spreads to your upper body
• Unsteady walking or inability to walk or climb stairs
• Difficulty with eye or facial movements, including speaking, chewing or swallowing
• Severe pain that may feel achy or cramp-like and may be worse at night
• Difficulty with bladder control or bowel function
• Rapid heart rate
• Low or high blood pressure
• Difficulty breathing
  
  
  
  
  

Causes

The exact cause of Guillain-Barre syndrome isn't known. The disorder usually appears days or weeks after a respiratory or digestive tract infection. Rarely, recent surgery or immunization can trigger Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Guillain-Barre syndrome can affect all age groups. But you're at slightly greater risk if:

• You're a man
• You're an older adul 

Guillain-Barre syndrome may be triggered by:

• Infection with campylobacter, a type of bacteria often found in undercooked poultry
• Influenza virus
• Epstein-Barr virus
• HIV, the virus that causes AIDS
• Mycoplasma pneumonia
• Surgery
• Hodgkin's lymphoma
• Rarely, influenza vaccinations or childhood vaccinations

Complications

Guillain-Barre syndrome affects your nerves. Because nerves control your movements and body functions, people with Guillain-Barre may experience:

• Breathing difficulties.
• Residual numbness or other sensations.
• Heart and blood pressure problems
• Heart and blood pressure problems
• Bowel and bladder function problems.
• Blood clots.
• Pressure sores

Severe, early symptoms of Guillain-Barre syndrome significantly increase the risk of serious long-term complications. Rarely, death may occur from complications such as respiratory distress syndrome and heart attack.

Tests and diagnosis

Guillain-Barre syndrome can be difficult to diagnose in its earliest stages. Its signs and symptoms are similar to those of other neurological disorders and may vary from person to person.

• Spinal tap (lumbar puncture)
• Electromyography
• Nerve conduction studies.

Treatments 

There's no cure for Guillain-Barre syndrome. But two types of treatments can speed recovery and reduce the severity of the illness: