News Item: Info on Guillain-Barre syndrome
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Guillain-Barrè syndrome is an autoimmune condition in which the person's nerves are attacked by the body's own immune defense system. As a result of the attack, the nerve insulation (myelin) and sometimes even the inner covered part of the nerve (axon) is damaged and signals are delayed or otherwise changed - this causes a spreading paralysis.
The syndrome appears to be triggered by acute viral or bacterial illnesses, such as respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, occurring one to three weeks earlier. The resultant antibodies attack the myelin sheaths that coat the nerve cells, causing paralysis, muscular weakness and strange sensations as the sensory nerves of the skin are affected.
Usually the symptoms start in the feet or legs and progress up the body over a few days or weeks. The disorder can be mild, moderate or severe, with life support needed in the worst cases. The exact cause is unknown and there is no cure. Most people spontaneously recover, though some will be left with permanent disabilities. This rare illness strikes between two and eight people in every 100,000 irrespective of gender or age, although it is more common in the 30 to 50 years age group.
The symptoms of Guillain-Barrè syndrome include:
Muscle weakness and paralysis affecting both sides of the body.
Jerky, uncoordinated movements.
Numbness.
Muscle aches, pains or cramps.
Odd sensations such as vibrations, buzzing or 'crawling' under the skin.
Blurred vision.
Dizziness.
Breathing problems.
The symptoms typically start in the feet or legs and progress up the body.
Sometimes, the symptoms start in the arms and progress downwards.
Symptoms may take a few days or weeks to progress.
After the symptoms remain steady and peaked for a short time, the person starts to recover.
Recovery may take six months to two years or more.
The cause is unknown
The exact cause of Guillain-Barrè syndrome remains unclear. In most cases, a person with Guillain-Barrè syndrome experienced some form of viral or bacterial infection some days or weeks prior to the onset of symptoms. The most commonly identified trigger is gastrointestinal infection with Campylobacter jejuni - one of the most common causes of food poisoning. Some of the viral infections associated with the syndrome include respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, herpes zoster, glandular fever and viral hepatitis. Other triggers may be surgery, insect bites and vaccinations. Whatever the trigger may be, the immune cells of the body are prompted to attack and destroy the insulation of the nerve cells (myelin sheath). Sometimes the nerve cell bodies are targeted too. There is no evidence to suggest that Guillain-Barrè syndrome is contagious.
Estimates vary, but around nine out of 10 people with Guillain-Barrè syndrome survive and approximately 75 to 90 per cent recover completely. Around 10 to 15 per cent will be troubled by some form of permanent disability. Generally speaking, the earlier the symptoms start to ease, the better the outlook. Even so, it can take anywhere from six months to two years or more to fully recover. Physical therapy is important as it prevents muscle contractures and associated deformities.
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