Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a serious autoimmune disease, in which the immune system itself starts taming nerve cells, leading to inflammation in the nerves and, consequently, muscle weakness and paralysis, which can be fatal. Diagnosis of the syndrome in the early stages is difficult because the symptoms are similar to other neurological diseases.
The syndrome progresses rapidly and most patients are discharged after 4 weeks, however the total recovery time may take months or years. Most patients recover and walk again after 6 months to 1 year of treatment, but there are some who have more difficulty and who need about 3 years to recover.
Main symptoms
Signs and symptoms of Guillain-Barré syndrome can develop rapidly and worsen over time, leaving the subject paralyzed in less than 3 days. However, not all patients are severely affected because some may only have weakness in the arms and legs.
The symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome can be:
- Muscle weakness, which usually begins 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 arms and legs;
- Back, hips and thigh pain;
- Palpitations on the chest, heart racing;
- Pressure changes, and there may be high or low pressure;
- Difficulty in breathing and swallowing, due to paralysis of the respiratory and digestive muscles;
- Difficulty controlling urine and stool;
- Fear, anxiety, fainting and vertigo.
When the diaphragm is reached, the patient begins to experience difficulty breathing, and in this case it is important that the patient is connected to breathing apparatus. If this does not happen, the patient may die, since the respiratory muscles do not function, resulting in asphyxia.
In case of Guillain-Barré suspicion, one should go to the hospital or the neurologist quickly to have tests that can conclude the diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome and thus avoid total paralysis. See what to tell the doctor at the appointment.
What Causes Guillain-Barré Syndrome
The main cause of Guillain-Barre Syndrome is infection by the Zika Virus, which is transmitted through the bite of the mosquito Aedes aegypti . However, this disease may also be a consequence of bacterial, respiratory or intestinal infections, in which there is neurological impairment.
Due to changes in the immune system, the body attacks 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. By losing the myelin sheath, the nerves become inflamed and this prevents the nervous signal from being transmitted to the muscles, leading to muscle weakness and the sensation of tingling in the legs and arms, for example.
Many people before being diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome have recently been vaccinated, have undergone surgery or have had diseases such as gastroenteritis or viral infections such as Epstein-Barr, cytomegalovirus, HIV, Dengue or Zika virus.
How is the diagnosis made?
The diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome in the early stages is difficult because the symptoms are similar to several other diseases in which there is neurological impairment.
Diagnosis is confirmed by examining the symptoms and performing tests such as magnetic resonance, lumbar puncture, electrocardiogram, and electromyography, which is an examination done to evaluate the conduction of the nerve impulse. Understand more about the electroneuromyography exam.
All patients diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome should 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 is aimed at relieving symptoms and accelerating recovery. Initial treatment should be done at the hospital, but after discharge treatment should be continued and physical therapy is recommended.
The treatment done at the hospital is plasmapheresis, in which 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. Learn how plasmapheresis is done.
Another treatment option is the injection of high doses of immunoglobulins (antibodies) against antibodies that are attacking the nerves, reducing inflammation and destruction of the myelin sheath.
However, when serious complications such as difficulty breathing, heart or gastrointestinal problems occur, it may be necessary for the patient to be hospitalized for monitoring and other complications to be prevented. Learn more about treatment for Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
