Guillian-Barre Syndrome

Introduction

Guillain-Barre Syndrome, though a very rare disease, has serious manifestations and occurs mostly during adulthood rather than childhood. Guillain-Barre syndrome is a manifestation of a virus affecting the nerves and is a peripheral nerve disorder. Its symptoms are diagnosed by a sudden weakness in the limbs where the virus may have attacked and gradually covered other peripheral areas if not started medications immediately. The patient has to be confined to a hospital as soon as the symptoms appear.

What Is Meant by Guillain-Barre Syndrome?

Guillain-Barre syndrome is an autoimmune disorder, where the normal cells are attacked by the body’s immune system. In the case of Guillain-Barre syndrome, the body’s immune system attacks the nervous system, which results in loss of control of muscle which leads to muscle weakness and numbness or tingling sensation.

What Are the Causes of Guillain-Barre Syndrome?

Guillain-Barre syndrome is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection, rarely the bacterial and viral protein can be similar to the body’s protein. When it occurs the body’s immune system gets confused and starts to attack the body. When the nervous system is being attacked by the own immune system it causes Guillain-Barre syndrome.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Guillain-Barre Syndrome?

• Weakness in the affected area

• Mild paralysis

• Sensory loss in the affected area and pain

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• Other symptoms include sweating, palpitations and blood pressure.

• Numbness or tingling sensation.

• Breathing issues.

• Problem with swallowing.

What Is the Diagnosis Method of Guillain-Barre Syndrome?

Diagnosis of Guillain-Barre syndrome depends on the symptoms. Neurological examination is done by the doctors. The doctor will recommend other tests to rule out any other condition with similar symptoms.

Some of the tests done to diagnose Guillain-Barre syndrome are:

• Spinal Tap or Lumbar Puncture: In this procedure, sampling the cerebrospinal fluid, which is present around the spinal cord and the brain. During the procedure, a thin needle is slided through the back, which collects a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid and is sent for analysis. This test is performed to rule out any other condition with similar symptoms of Guillain-Barre syndrome like nervous system infection.

• Electromyography (EMG): This procedure includes two sessions:

• Nerve conduction study.

• Needle electromyography.

This test is done to monitor the health and functioning of the nerves and muscles. As Guillain-Barre syndrome damages the nerves, this procedure can help doctors in diagnosing Guillain-Barre syndrome.

How Is Guillain-Barre Syndrome Managed?

The symptoms related to Guillain-Barre syndrome escalate very quickly and result in hospitalization of the person for emergency treatment. There are two modes of treatment that help in the quick recovery from Guillain-Barre syndrome:

• Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy (IVIG): In this mode of treatment, infusion of antibodies is done, which are the proteins that the body utilizes to fight foreign substances. This has been collected from tens and thousands of people. This infusion of antibodies helps to calm down the immune system which attacks the nervous system.

• Plasma Exchange or Plasmapheresis: In this procedure, the liquid part of the blood called the plasma is filtered. During this filtration process, the antibodies which attack the nerves which are present in the blood are removed, and the cleared plasma without any antibodies is returned to the body. This prevents the body’s immune system from attacking the nervous system.

What Is the Prognosis of Guillain-Barre Syndrome?

• The prognosis of the disease starts around the fourth week. With other medications to support the severity of the virus affecting the body, it is also essential to improve muscle wasting, build up chest muscles, and help the patient recover physically.

• Physical therapy plays an important role to help recover from the physical manifestations of this disease. Physiotherapy can be started after four weeks of its prognosis. Patients can be continued with full ROM (range of motion) every day to prevent joint contractures and muscle shortening. With the help of muscle-strengthening exercises, the lost vitality of the muscles can be brought back.

• Isometric and Isokinetic exercises activate muscle strengthening and help to regain posture and build up chest muscles to avoid breathing muscles from collapsing.

• Physiotherapy also teaches mobility, bed transfers, and ambulation with minimal help.

• Gradual gait training (training a patient how to walk safely) is taught with the help of crutches and other walking aids to enable the patient to walk independently.

• Physiotherapy also revises the need for orthotic management. Overall functional recovery is initiated with the help of physiotherapy.

What Is the Long-Term Effect of Guillain-Barre Syndrome?

Most people affected by this condition recover completely, but some continue to have signs and symptoms like muscle weakness, walking difficulties, and numbness or tingling effect. A few people affected may require a walker or wheelchair.

Conclusion

Guillain-Barre syndrome is an autoimmune disorder, which means the nerves of the body are being attacked by the body’s own immune system. This results in muscle weakness, numbness, and a tingling effect. This condition needs to be diagnosed and treated immediately or else it may result in severe symptoms like paralysis, difficulty breathing, and alteration in blood pressure and heart rate, if not treated can result in death. When treated properly, most people recover quickly.