Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a serious autoimmune disease, in which the immune system itself attacks nerve cells, leading to inflammation in the nerves and, consequently, muscle weakness and paralysis, which can be fatal. The diagnosis of the syndrome in early stages is difficult, as the symptoms are similar to other neurological diseases.
The syndrome progresses rapidly and most patients are discharged after 4 weeks, however the full recovery time can take months or years. Most patients recover and walk again after 6 months to 1 year of treatment, but there are some who have greater difficulty and who need about 3 years to recover.
Main symptoms
The signs and symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome can develop quickly and worsen over time, and can leave the individual paralyzed in less than 3 days. However, not all patients are severely affected because some may only experience weakness in their arms and legs.
Symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome can be:
- Muscle weakness, which usually starts in the legs, but then reaches the arms, diaphragm and also the muscles of the face and mouth, impairing speech and eating; Tingling and loss of sensation in the legs and arms; Pain in the legs, hips and in the back; Palpitations in the chest, fast heart; Changes in pressure, there may be high or low pressure; Difficulty breathing and swallowing, due to paralysis of the respiratory and digestive muscles; Difficulty in controlling urine and feces; Fear, anxiety, fainting and vertigo.
When the diaphragm is reached, the patient begins to experience difficulty breathing, in which case it is important that the patient is connected to breathing apparatus or the patient may die, since the respiratory muscles do not work, resulting in suffocation.
If Guillain-Barré is suspected, you should quickly go to the hospital or the neurologist to have tests done to complete the diagnosis of the syndrome and thus avoid total paralysis. See what to say to the doctor at the consultation.
What causes Guillain-Barré syndrome
The main cause of Guillain-Barré Syndrome is infections, because the most resistant microorganisms can compromise the functioning of the nervous system and the immune system.
Due to changes in the immune system, the organism starts attacking the peripheral nervous system itself, destroying the myelin sheath, which is the membrane that covers the nerves and accelerates the conduction of the nervous impulse, causing the symptoms. When the myelin sheath is lost, the nerves become inflamed and this prevents the nervous signal from being transmitted to the muscles, leading to muscle weakness and the tingling sensation in the legs and arms, for example.
How the diagnosis is made
The diagnosis of Guillain-Barré Syndrome in the early stages is difficult, as the symptoms are similar to several other diseases in which there is neurological impairment.
The diagnosis is confirmed through the analysis of symptoms, complete physical examination and tests such as lumbar puncture, magnetic resonance imaging and electroneuromyography, which is an examination performed to assess the conduction of the nervous impulse. Understand more about the electroneuromyography exam.
All patients diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome must remain in the hospital to be properly monitored and treated, because when this disease is not treated, it can lead to death due to paralysis of the muscles.
How is the treatment
Treatment for Guillain-Barré Syndrome aims to relieve symptoms and speed recovery. Initial treatment should be done at the hospital, but after discharge, treatment should be continued and physiotherapy is recommended.
The treatment done at the hospital is plasmapheresis, in which the blood is removed from the body, filtered in order to remove the substances that are causing 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 done.
Another part of treatment is the injection of high doses of immunoglobulins (proteins with an antibody function) against the antibodies that are attacking the nerves, reducing inflammation and destruction of the myelin sheath.
However, when serious complications arise, such as difficulty in breathing, heart or kidney problems, it is necessary for the patient to be hospitalized in order to be monitored, treated and for other complications to be prevented. Learn more about the treatment for Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
