Guillain-Barré syndrome is a serious autoimmune disease, in which the immune system itself attacks nerve cells, causing inflammation of the nerves and, consequently, muscle weakness and paralysis, which can be fatal. Diagnosing early-stage syndrome is difficult because symptoms are similar to those of other neurological diseases.
The syndrome progresses rapidly and most patients leave the hospital after 4 weeks, but full recovery time can take months or years. Most patients recover and walk again after 6 months to 1 year of treatment, but some have more difficulties and need about 3 years to recover.
- Signs and symptoms of Guillain-Barré syndrome can develop quickly and worsen over time.
- And may leave the individual paralyzed in less than 3 days.
- However.
- Not all patients suffer serious injuries.
- As some may experience only weakness in the arms and legs.
Symptoms of Guillain-Barré syndrome may include
When the diaphragm is affected, the patient begins to experience shortness of breath, in which case it is important that the patient is connected to a respiratory system, otherwise the patient may die because the respiratory muscles do not work, resulting in suffocation.
If Guillain-Barré is suspected, you should quickly go to the hospital or neurologist for tests to complete the diagnosis of the syndrome to avoid total paralysis. Find out what to tell your doctor during your appointment.
Infections are the main cause of Guillain-Barré syndrome, as the most resistant microorganisms can compromise the functioning of the nervous system and immune system.
Due to changes in the immune system, the body begins to attack the peripheral nervous system itself, destroying the myelin sheath, which is the membrane that lines the nerves and accelerates the conduction of the nerve impulse, causing symptoms. When the myelin sheath is lost, the nerves become inflamed and this prevents the nerve signal from being transmitted to the muscles, causing muscle weakness and a tingling sensation in the legs and arms, for example.
Diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome in the early stages is difficult because the symptoms are similar to several other diseases where there is a neurological deterioration.
Diagnosis is confirmed by symptom analysis, a complete physical exam, and tests such as lumbar puncture, magnetic resonance imaging, and electroneuromyography, which is a test done to evaluate nerve impulse conduction. Learn more about the electroneuromymography test.
All patients diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome should remain in the hospital for proper monitoring and treatment, as when the disease is not treated, it can lead to death from muscle paralysis.
Treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome aims to relieve symptoms and speed recovery.Initial treatment should be performed in the hospital, but after discharge, treatment should continue and physical therapy is recommended.
Treatment in the hospital is plasmapheresis, in which blood is drawn from the body, filtered to remove the substances that cause the disease, and then returned to the body. Thus, plasmapheresis is able to retain the antibodies responsible for attacking the immune system. Find out how plasmapheresis is made.
Another part of the treatment is the injection of high doses of immunoglobulins (proteins with antibody function) against antibodies that attack nerves, reducing inflammation and destruction of the myelin sheath.
However, when serious complications, such as breathing difficulties, heart or kidney problems occur, the patient must be hospitalized for monitoring, treatment and to avoid further complications.Learn more about treating Guillain-Barré syndrome.