Guillain-Barre syndrome also known as (GBS) is a rare neurological disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system is made up of nerves that connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.
When these nerves are damaged, it can cause muscle weakness, tingling, and numbness. In severe cases, GBS can also lead to paralysis. This is a rare disease according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They mentioned that “only about 3,000 to 6,000 people” suffer from GBS every year in the United States.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke describes the disease as “Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare neurological disorder in which your immune system mistakenly attacks part of the peripheral nervous system — the network of nerves located outside the brain and spinal cord.”
Source: Mayo Clinic
What is the main cause of Guillain-Barre syndrome?
The exact cause of the disease is unknown, but it is believed to be caused by infection.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classifies these infections as follows:
- “Diarrhea or respiratory illness: About 2 in 3 people with GBS have diarrhea or respiratory illness several weeks before GBS symptoms appear.
- Viral infection: Some people with GBS have the flu or are infected with cytomegalovirus, Epstein Barr virus, Zika virus, or other viruses.
- Vaccination: It is very rare for someone to develop GBS within a few days or weeks of receiving certain vaccines. However, the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks. For example, studies show that people have a higher risk of getting GBS after having the flu than after getting a flu vaccine.
- Infection with Campylobacter jejunicauses diarrhea, which is one of the most common causes of GBS.”
What are the symptoms of Guillain-Barre syndrome?
Symptoms of Guillain-Barre Syndrome often last for weeks and can lead to paralysis if the problem becomes severe. Here is a list of symptoms according to WHO:
- The first symptom that occurs is a feeling of weakness or tingling that begins in the legs and spreads to the arms and face.
- If the case becomes severe, the person may have difficulty speaking and swallowing. These cases are considered life-threatening and must be treated immediately.
- Most people recover completely from even the most severe cases of GBS, although some people continue to feel weak.
- Even under the best conditions, 3–5% of GBS patients die from complications, such as paralysis of the muscles that control breathing, sepsis, pulmonary clotting, or cardiac arrest.
What is the treatment for Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
There is no specific treatment for this problem but patients should be closely monitored and should be hospitalized for further attention.
Here are the WHO’s treatment recommendations:
- Patients experiencing this problem should be hospitalized for close monitoring and immediate response if the condition worsens.
- Supportive care for patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome should include monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure.
- Patients with breathing problems should be placed on a ventilator.
- Patients should be monitored for complications, such as abnormal heart rhythms, infections, blood clots, and high or low blood pressure.
- Immunotherapy is the most common treatment available for GBS because it is an autoimmune disease. Immunotherapy helps suppress the immune system and prevent it from further damaging the nerves. Patients should be treated with plasma exchange within 7 to 14 days after the onset of symptoms.
In short, Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is a rare but serious neurological disorder that can cause muscle weakness and paralysis. The exact cause of GBS is unknown, but it is important to seek medical attention as soon as any symptoms appear. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent the disease from progressing to a more severe stage.
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Source: pagasa.edu.vn