Guillain Barre Syndrome

Causes

Guillain Barre syndrome is not hereditary. But in about half of all cases the onset of the syndrome follows a viral or bacterial infection, such as including, flu, common cold, gastrointestinal viral infection, infectious mononucleosis, viral hepatitis, campylobacteriosis and porphyria it is the rare disease of red blood cells.

A small number of cases have been known to occur after a medical procedure, such as minor surgery.

Symptoms

• Weakness begins in the distal legs, but proximal muscles may appear more affected.
• Possible progression of weakness to trunk and arms
• Bulbar muscle weakness (primarily ocular and facial) less common ++
• Facial involvement, possibly asymmetric
• Sensory complaints are less prominent but common and include paresthesias and numbness

Signs

• Distal muscle weakness
• Diminished or absent reflexes in the affected muscles
• Sensorium remains intact.
• 30% require mechanical ventilation.
• Autonomic dysfunction may be prominent. It manifests in 50% of patients as labile blood pressure, heart rate, and urinary retention.
• A Miller-Fischer variant starts with ophthalmoplegia and ataxia and is followed by a descending paralysis.
• Loss of position and vibratory sense may occur.

Treatment

Most people diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome are hospitalised so that any complications which affect their vital functions can be treated promptly. There is no cure, but treatment options sush as includes includes. Plasmapheresis - blood is taken from the patient. The immune cells are removed, and the remaining red blood cells are returned to the body. Gammaglobulin- trials have proven the effectiveness of this form of treatment. IVIG is given by infusion into a vein, usually every day for five days. Each infusion takes about two hours.