Guillain-Barre syndrome is a serious disorder that occurs when the body's defense (immune) system mistakenly attacks part of the nervous system. This leads to nerve inflammation that causes muscle weakness, which continues to get worse.
Guillain-Barre syndrome is an autoimmune disorder. The exact cause of Guillain-Barre syndrome is unknown. The syndrome may occur at any age, but is most common in people of both sexes between the ages 30 and 50. It often follows a minor infection, usually a respiratory (lung) infection or gastrointestinal (gut) infection. Usually, signs of the original infection have disappeared before the symptoms of Guillain-Barre begin.
Guillain-Barre syndrome causes inflammation that damages parts of nerves. This nerve damage causes tingling, muscle weakness, and paralysis. The inflammation usually affects the nerve's covering (myelin sheath). Such damage is called demyelination. Demyelination slows nerve signaling. Damage to other parts of the nerve can cause the nerve to stop working.
Guillain-Barre syndrome may occur along with viral infections such as:
It may also occur with other medical conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus or Hodgkin's disease.
Some people may get Guillain-Barre syndrome after a bacterial infection, certain vaccinations (such as rabies and swine flu), and surgery.
Symptoms of Guillain-Barre get worse very quickly. It may take only a few hours to reach the most severe symptoms.
Muscle weakness or the loss of muscle function (paralysis) affects both sides of the body. If the muscle weakness starts in the legs and then spreads to the arms, it is called ascending paralysis.
Patients may notice tingling, foot or hand pain, and clumsiness. As the loss of muscle function gets worse, the patient may need breathing assistance.
Typical symptoms include:
Additional symptoms may include:
Emergency symptoms (seek immediate medical help):
A history of increasing muscle weakness and paralysis may indicate Guillain-Barre syndrome, especially if there was a recent illness.
A medical exam may show muscle weakness and problems with involuntary (autonomic) body functions such as blood pressure and heart rate.
There may be signs of decreased breathing (caused by paralysis of the breathing muscles), and a decrease in certain arm and leg reflexes.
The following tests may be ordered:
There is no cure for Guillain-Barre syndrome. However, many treatments are available to help reduce symptoms, treat complications, and speed up recovery.
When symptoms are severe, the patient will need to go to the hospital for breathing help, treatment, and physical therapy.
A method called plasmapheresis is used to remove a person's blood and replace it with intravenous (IV) fluids or donated blood that is free of proteins called antibodies.
High-dose immunoglobulin therapy (IVIg) is another procedure used to reduce the severity and length of Guillain-Barre symptoms.
Other treatments are directed at preventing complications.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome Foundation International - www.gbsfi.com
Recovery can take weeks or years. Most people survive and recover completely. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, about 30 percent of patients still have some weakness after 3 years. Mild weakness may persist for some people.
A patient's outcome is most likely to be very good when the symptoms go away within 3 weeks after they first started (onset).
Seek immediate medical help if any of the following symptoms occur:
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