Guillain Barre Syndrome is categorized as an infrequent or rare disorder recorded in medical industry. This is a strange physical condition wherein immune system of the afflicted individuals attacks and counteracts the nerves. The conditions is also accompanied by certain symptoms; however, series of symptoms may start with weakness and numbness which may be the initial symptoms experienced by the affected individual. Guillain Barre Syndrome should not be taken lightly and should be addressed timely as the condition may spread quickly along with the sensation and the patient may suffer from paralyzed state of whole body.
It is studied that Guillain Barre Syndrome is extremely rare and has a frequency of 1 out of every 100,000 individuals. In sever guillain barre cases the patients may have to be hospitalized. There is no specified cure for the conditions in the medical industry; however, there are some treatment techniques that may help in curing the symptoms of the physical malady. The exact factor that causes gullain barre syndrome is unknown but it is usually preceded by infections such as abdomen flu or respiratory infection.
Causes of Guillain Barre Syndrome:
As aforementioned the causes of Guillain Barre Syndrome is not certain. It is recorded that approximately 60 percent cases showed preceding infection affecting either the digestive tract or lungs before the disorder affects the person. Scientist has failed to determine that why such infection may progress to guillain barre in some cases while in other cases of such infection the disorder is not diagnosed. In case of Guillain Barre Syndrome the immune system of your body that attacks the invading organism and counteracts foreign materials, starts attacking those body nerves that passes signals between the brain and other body parts. In this course myelin sheath (the protective covering of the nerve) gets damaged and this hinders the process of signaling which causes weakness, lack of sensation and paralyze.
Guillain Barre Symptoms:
Guillian barre syndrome symptoms usually onsets with lack of sensation, weakness and tingling sensation starting and feet and progressing to your upper body parts such as arms, etc. In some cases the symptoms may start at fingers and toes but are often insidious. Also some people may feel the symptom (numbness) starting from the face or arms. Muscles weakness may also be experienced initially when the symptoms starts which may also develop into paralyze.
Some other common symptoms of Gullain Barre syndrome may include:
• Paraesthesia or Paresthesia which is also known as ‘pins and needles sensation’ starting at toes and both
• Weakness of muscles in the body
• Tingling sensation in your lower body and spread to your upper body
• Inability to walk or Imbalance of walking
• Ocular inabilities such uncontrollable eye movement
• Uncontrolled facial movement
• Inappropriate speech
• Inability to chew or swallow
• Severe ache in lower back
• Intestinal malfunction
• Bladder control difficulties
• Reduced blood pressure
• Lowered blood rate
• Difficulty while respiration
People under affliction of Guillain Barre Syndrome may also experience extreme weakness of body within first three weeks after the onset of the symptoms. In some cases the symptoms of the disorder may grow rapidly and possibly paralysis of body parts such as arms, legs and breathing muscles may be experienced even within few hours. ‘
Consulting a doctor:
In general, it is essential to seek medical attention when any health abnormalities are experienced. In case of Guillain Barre Syndrome, if you experienced any kind of tingling or numbness of any body part it is essential to consult a doctor immediately. You should seek immediate medical attention if any of the following case is experienced.
• Tingling sensation starting at feet or toes and which seems to be progressing
• Numbness that is spreading rapidly
• Tingling at both hands and/ or both feet
• Difficulties in breathing
• Unable to gulp saliva or choking on it
Guillain Barre Syndrome is serious disease and should not be neglected as the condition becomes progresses to become worsen at higher rate. It is essential to take immediate medical treatments and on timely basis to avoid adverse consequences and keeping your body safe from getting paralyzed completely.
Guillain Barre Syndrome Treatment and Timeline:
As mentioned above one should undergo treatment timely to prevent adverse consequences. Affected individual may take months or even years to restore to normal health; however, here are some Guillain Barre Syndrome timeline information to compliment treatments.
• After occurrence of the first symptoms the condition may progress and become worsen for over the course of two weeks.
• The symptoms experienced under influence of Guillain Barre Syndrome reaches to a certain level and remains steady for approximately 14 days to a month.
• The recovery starts often persisting for six month to a year
It should be known that there is no confirmed cure for Guillain Barre Syndrome. However, two methods of treating the condition is adopted as it speeds up the recovery and decreased the severity of the disorder.
Plamapheresis:
This treatments technique is also referred to as plasma exchange which is a type of treatment that involves blood cleansing. In this procedure the harmful antibodies are eradicated from the blood. Plasmapheresis includes removing plasma, the liquid portion present in your blood and separating this liquid portion from health blood cells, these purified blood cells are then returned in your body, which then produces more plasma to substitute the for what was removed from your body. It is not confirmed why this treatment works, but scientists believe that plasmapheresis clears plasma of some antibodies that contributes to the attack on nerves.
Intravenous immunoglobulin:
Immunoglobulin carries beneficial antibodies from donors of blood. Significant appropriate dosage of immunoglobulin may counteract and prevent harmful antibodies that may contribute to the factor causing Guillain Barre Syndrome.
Each of the above mentioned treatments are equally effective. When the disease is progressed to advanced stage it may take more time to treat the issues. It should be known that these treatments may show significant and better effects when obtained during initial stages of Guillain Barre Syndrome.
