Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare neurological disorder which causes progressive paralysis, starting from the feet and progressing up throughout the rest of the affected person’s body (ascending paraplegia). It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the peripheral nerves in the body. This is known as an autoimmune disease and can be triggered following a surgery, or by a flu-like illness or a stomach infection. As the immune system fights off the infection, it mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves.
GBS affects men and women of all ethnicities and ages. Treatment is available for this condition and 80% of those affected recover with minor or no residual neurologic deficits (lasting damage to the nervous system). More severe cases of the condition require emergency medical treatment, admission to hospital, and longer rehabilitation periods. About 10% to 15% of affected people will have major residual deficits. The residual neurologic deficits range from having difficulty running or walking to difficulty breathing; some patients may need to be permanently on a respirator. Less than 2% of affected individuals will die.
Healthy nerves are wrapped in an outer coating known as myelin, which is similar to the plastic insulation wrapped around a wire. In cases of GBS, the myelin is damaged. Without this coating, the nerves may not be able to send messages or they send weaker messages that may result in muscle weakness, tingling, numbness, or paralysis. People with this condition may experience significant weakness and have difficulty performing everyday tasks, including walking.
Infections by certain bacteria or viruses seem to trigger GBS in more than 50% of cases. In particular, infections of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or respiratory system are most commonly associated with the condition.
There is no clear association between seasonal influenza vaccination and GBS, although some reviewss have suggested that vaccination against the flu may trigger the disease in a very small number of people. A person’s risk of developing GBS after a flu shot is about one in one million. Keep in mind that receiving the flu shot helps protect your own health and that of those around you and is recommended despite the extremely small increased risk of GBS.
People with lymphoma, HIV, or lupus seem to be more at risk for GBS.
Available treatments for GBS help speed up recovery. As with many conditions, the earlier the condition is recognized and treated, the greater the chance of a fast recovery. Recovery may take longer for more severe cases of the condition. Treatment with either plasma exchange or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy is often very successful in helping people recover faster.
Plasma exchange helps remove antibodies from the blood. Antibodies are a part of the immune system and normally help your body fight inflammation and infection. With conditions like GBS, certain antibodies damage nerves and cause a loss of transmission of electrical signals to the muscles. Plasmapheresis works by separating a person’s blood into its two main components: cells and plasma. The cells are returned to the body. The plasma is discarded and replaced with artificial plasma. Plasmapheresis works best for people with GBS when started within the first 2 weeks of symptom onset.
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) contains antibodies collected from donated blood. This therapy has also been shown to speed recovery from GBS when given in the first 2 weeks. The exact way IVIg works is unknown.
On the road to recovery, a person with GBS may need to consider pain relief and how to maintain muscle strength. Heat therapy has been helpful for patients in relieving pain and beginning physical therapy earlier. Physiotherapy is helpful in assisting recovery. Pain medications may also be required to help alleviate nerve pain.
There is currently no known prevention for GBS. However, the best way to stay healthy is to make regular physical activity a part of your daily routine and to eat a well-balanced, healthy diet.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2026. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Guillain-Barre-Syndrome
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