Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare autoimmune condition in which the bodyâs immune system attacks the peripheral nerves, causing sudden numbness and muscle weakness.
Guillain-Barre syndrome often begins with tingling and weakness starting in the legs and feet and spreads to the upper body and arms. Some people may notice the first symptoms in the arms or face. As the condition progresses, muscle weakness can turn into paralysis. Symptoms of Guillain-Barre syndrome include:
- A pins and needles feeling in the fingers, toes, ankles, or wrists
- Weakness in the legs that spreads to the upper body
- An unsteady walk, or not being able to walk or climb stairs
- Trouble with facial movements, including speaking, chewing, or swallowing
- Double vision or inability to move the eyes
- Severe pain that may feel achy, shooting, or cramp-like, and may be worse at night
- Trouble with bladder control or bowel function
- Rapid heart rate
- Low or high blood pressure
- Trouble breathing
People with Guillain-Barre syndrome usually experience their most significant weakness within two weeks after symptoms begin.
The symptoms of Guillain-Barre syndrome differ depending on the type, as there are several forms of the condition. The main types are:
- Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP)
- Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS)
- Acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) and acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN)
There is no exact known cause of Guillain-Barre syndrome. It usually appears days or weeks after a respiratory or digestive tract infection. Rarely, a recent surgery or vaccination can trigger it.
In Guillain-Barre syndrome, the immune system attacks the nerves. In AIDP, the myelin sheath protecting the nerves is damaged. The damage prevents nerves from transmitting signals to your brain, causing weakness, numbness, or paralysis. It can be triggered by:
- Most commonly, an infection with Campylobacter, a type of bacteria often found in undercooked poultry
- Influenza virus
- Cytomegalovirus
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Zika virus
- Hepatitis A, B, C, and E
- HIV
- Mycoplasma pneumonia
- Surgery
- Trauma
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- Rarely, influenza vaccinations or childhood vaccinations
- COVID-19 virus
Healthcare providers can typically diagnose Guillain-Barre syndrome based on symptoms and medical history. They may ask how and when your symptoms started and if you have been sick recently. They will also perform physical and neurological exams to look for signs of muscle weakness and weak or absent deep tendon reflexes.
Unfortunately, many other neurological conditions share similar symptoms to Guillain-Barre syndrome, so a healthcare provider will need to perform other tests to rule out other conditions. These tests can include:
- Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction tests
- A spinal tap
- An imaging test
There is no cure for Guillain-Barre syndrome. However, two types of treatment can speed recovery and reduce symptoms. They include:
- Plasma exchange
- Immunoglobulin therapy
These treatments are equally effective. Mixing them or using one after the other is no more effective than using either method alone. You are also likely to be given medicine to:
- Relieve severe pain
- Prevent blood clots
People with Guillain-Barre syndrome need physical help and therapy before and during recovery. Care may include:
- Movement of your arms and legs by caregivers before recovery helps keep muscles flexible and strong
- Physical therapy during recovery helps you cope with fatigue and regain strength and proper movement
- Training with adaptive devices, such as a wheelchair or braces, to give you mobility and self-care skills
You can receive pain management treatments, such as nerve blocks, at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. To schedule an appointment with a pain specialist, please call (718) 206-7246.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.
âI got a second chanceâ, is what Wayne Texeira said after his experience at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. While working at Jamaica Hospital, Mr. Wayne Texiera suddenly couldnât breathe and fell to his knees. He saw the lights fading and passed out. While in the ER, he was told his lungs were filling with fluid, he had heart failure, and he almost died. His doctor, Dr. Zoran Lasic, told Mr. Texiera that he had to change his lifestyle after the angiogram performed showed that he had 30% functionality in his heart.
