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Damaged nerve and myelin sheath
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Guillain-Barre Syndrome (gee-YAH-buh-RAY) is a rare condition in which your body’s immune system attacks your nerves. Weakness and tingling in the extremities are usually the first symptoms.
These sensations can spread quickly and eventually cripple your whole body. In its most severe form, Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a medical emergency. Most people with this condition will need hospitalization for treatment.
The exact cause of Guillain-Barré syndrome is unknown. However, two-thirds of patients report symptoms of infection within the last six weeks. These include infections of the respiratory tract or gastrointestinal tract or the Zika virus.
There is no known cure for Guillain-Barré syndrome, but multiple treatments can relieve symptoms and shorten the duration of the illness. Although most people recover from Guillain-Barré syndrome, the death rate is 4% to 7%. Between 60 and 80% of people can walk after six months. Persistent effects such as weakness, numbness, or fatigue may occur in patients. Guillain-Barre syndrome Treatment in Hyderabad
symptoms
Guillain-Barré syndrome often begins with tingling and weakness that begins in the feet and legs and spreads to the upper body and arms. About 10% of people with the disorder have symptoms begin in the arms or face. As Guillain-Barré syndrome progresses, muscle weakness can lead to paralysis.
The signs and symptoms of Guillain-Barré syndrome can include:
- Tingling, pins and needles in fingers, toes, ankles, or wrists
- Weakness in the legs that spreads to the upper body
- Restless walking or inability to walk or climb stairs
- Difficulty moving your face, including speaking, chewing, or swallowing
- Double vision or inability to move your eyes
- Severe pain that may be sore, pulling, or swarming, and worsen at night
- Difficulty controlling bladder or bowel function
- Fast heart rate
- Low or high blood pressure
- Difficulty breathing
The reasons
The exact cause of Guillain-Barré syndrome is not known. The disorder usually occurs days or weeks after a respiratory or digestive tract infection. In rare cases, recent surgery or vaccination can trigger Guillain-Barré syndrome. Cases have recently been reported following infection with the Zika virus. Guillain-Barré syndrome can also occur after infection with COVID-19.
In Guillain-Barré syndrome, your immune system – which normally only attacks invading organisms – begins to attack the nerves. In AIDP, the most common form of Guillain-Barré syndrome in the United States, the protective covering of the nerves (myelin sheath) is damaged. The damage prevents nerves from transmitting signals to your brain, causing weakness, numbness, or paralysis. Guillain-Barre syndrome Treatment in Hyderabad
Risk factors
Guillain-Barré syndrome can affect all age groups. But your risk increases with age. It’s also more common in men than women.
Guillain-Barré syndrome can be triggered by:
- Most common infection with Campylobacter, a type of bacteria commonly found in undercooked poultry
- Influenza virus
- Cytomegalovirus
- Epstein Barr Virus
- Zika virus
- Hepatitis A, B, C and E.
- HIV, the virus that causes AIDS
- Mycoplasma pneumonia
- surgery
- trauma
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- Rarely influenza or childhood vaccinations
- Covid-19 infection