What Is Guillain Barre Syndrome?

Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an uncommon and severe neurological disorder. Initially it attacks your peripheral nervous system. Generally an infectious procedure precedes the onset of the Guillain Barre Syndrome. It is considered as a devastating disorder because it can attack an individual at any time. And if it is not treated timely, it can be life threatening. Fortunately GBS is a rare syndrome and only 1-2 persons in a lakh are affected by it.

The cells of our immune system normally attack the invading organisms and the foreign particles entering our body system. But in case of Guillain Barre Syndrome, our immune system begins destroying the myelin sheath surrounding the axons.

Sometimes even the axons are destroyed. This happens because our immune system is unable to discriminate what is a foreign particle. In the beginning of its onset, usually your extremities are affected. Your extremities start feeling weak and numb. Then these sensations may spread quickly and can even paralyze your whole body.

The sufferer may experience severe pain in his lower neck and walking steadily may become difficult for him. He may also find difficulty in breathing and his heart rate may become slow. He may not be able to use his muscles at all; may have difficulty in speaking, swallowing, chewing, moving his eyes and face; blood pressure may also be affected. In his last stage the victim may become completely paralyzed and the patient may become ventilator dependent.

The exact causes of Guillain Barre Syndrome are still not known. Researchers do not consider it as contagious or hereditary. They have found that in almost half of the case, GBS onset results after a bacterial or viral infection. Sometimes porphyria which is a rare red blood cells disease is also the cause of GBS onset. If you have eaten undercooked poultry, campylobacteriosis may result which can ultimately cause GBS.

It can also occur after a medical procedure like performance of a minor surgery. Occasionally the syndrome is triggered by vaccinations and pregnancy.

An individual of any age can be affected by Guillain Barre Syndrome. When GBS is in its earliest stage, doctors find it very difficult to diagnose. Electromyogram (EMG) and lumbar puncture are used for its diagnosis. At present there is no permanent cure for GBS. When the patient finds difficulty in breathing, he/she is managed in hospital usually in an intensive care unit.