Guillain Barre Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes & Risks
Guillain Barre syndrome is an acute immune-mediated after-infectious polyneuropathy where the immune system hits the peripheral nerves of the patients, thus leading to symmetric muscle weakness.
The depressed or absent or deep tendon reflexes ultimately result in a paralysis attack after some time. Most patients face long-term neurological complications despite excellent treatment and care. Read below about Guillain Barre syndrome symptoms, causes and more.
Symptoms of Guillain Barre Syndrome
As per the NIH (National Institutes of Health), the loss of muscle control or GBS is a rare disorder. Guillain Barre syndrome symptoms include weakness or tingling sensation in the legs.
This orphan disease can even spread to the arms as well as the upper body. The weakness can differ from the mild difficulty with walking to complete paralysis of all extremities, respiratory, facial, and bulbar muscles.
Guillain Barre Syndrome Causes
As per the WHO reports you can’t determine the causes of GBS always. It is usually stimulated by an infection (HIV, influenza, or dengue) and less commonly by surgery, immunization, or trauma. It appears a few weeks or even days after a respiratory or digestive tract infection.
In this condition, the immune system ruins the myelin sheath that covers axons (the long thin extensions of nerve cells) in the body. According to the National Organization report, GBS affects one or two persons every year per 100,000 population.
Plus, around 6,000 patients are admitted to hospitals in the US with a primary diagnosis of this syndrome every year. Guillain Barre Syndrome can affect people of any age. But it is more common in the old people and men than young and women.
Complications of Guillain Barre Syndrome
This syndrome affects your nerves (which control your movements and bodily functions,) death may occur from heart attack and respiratory distress. GBS becomes a serious issue as it may cause death when untreated within a few hours to days.
-Pressure sores.
-Breathing problems
-Heart and blood pressure issues
-Nerve Pain
-bladder and bowel issues
-Blood clots
-Numbness or other sensations
