Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare neurological disorder in
which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks part of the
peripheral nervous system. This leads to nerve inflammation that causes
muscle weakness or paralysis and other symptoms.
GBS is a serious
condition, but most people eventually recover. With careful medical
care, even people with the most severe cases of GBS can make a full
recovery.
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Symptoms of GBS
The symptoms of GBS usually
start gradually, over a few days or weeks. The most common symptoms
are:
* **Weakness:** This usually starts in the feet and legs and then
spreads to the arms and upper body.
* **Tingling or numbness:** This can
occur in the hands, feet, arms, and legs.
* **Difficulty walking:**
This may progress to the point where you are unable to walk at all.
*
**Trouble breathing:** This can occur if the nerves that control your
breathing are affected.
* **Changes in facial expression:** This may
include difficulty smiling, frowning, or blinking.
* **Speech
problems:** This may include slurred speech or difficulty swallowing.
Causes of GBS
The
exact cause of GBS is not known, but it is thought to be an autoimmune
disorder. This means that the body's immune system mistakenly attacks
healthy cells. In the case of GBS, the immune system attacks the myelin
sheath, which is the protective covering of the nerves. When the myelin
sheath is damaged, the nerves cannot transmit signals properly, which
leads to muscle weakness and paralysis.
GBS is often preceded by an
infection, such as a respiratory infection, a stomach bug, or a
Campylobacter infection. In some cases, GBS may also be caused by a
vaccination.
### Diagnosis of GBS
There is no single test that
can definitively diagnose GBS. However, your doctor will likely order a
number of tests, including:
* **A physical exam:** Your doctor will
look for signs of weakness, paralysis, and other symptoms of GBS.
*
**Blood tests:** These tests may be used to rule out other possible
causes of your symptoms.
* **Nerve conduction studies:** These tests
measure how well your nerves are conducting signals.
* **EMG:** This
test measures the electrical activity of your muscles.
Treatment for GBS
There
is no cure for GBS, but there are treatments that can help to speed up
recovery. The most common treatment for GBS is plasmapheresis, which is a
procedure that removes the harmful antibodies from your blood. Other
treatments that may be used include intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg)
and corticosteroids.
Recovery from GBS
The recovery from GBS
can take several weeks or months. In most cases, people with GBS make a
full recovery. However, some people may have some residual weakness or
other symptoms.
Prevention of GBS*
There is no way to prevent
GBS completely. However, there are some things you can do to reduce your
risk of developing the condition, such as:
Getting vaccinated: Some
vaccines, such as the flu vaccine, may help to reduce your risk of
developing GBS.
Practicing good hygiene: This can help to reduce your
risk of getting infections that may trigger GBS.
If you experience any
of the symptoms of GBS, it is important to see a doctor right away.
Early diagnosis and treatment can help to improve your chances of a full
recovery.