Biology Dictionary- A rare disease in which the body's immune system attacks the nerves of the peripheral nervous system, damaging the protective myelin sheaths surrounding the nerves and sometimes damaging the nerve axons. Symptoms have a range of severity and can include abnormal sensations (such as numbness, pins and needles, vibrations, etc.), muscle weaknesses (due to the destruction of the nerves which carry signals to the affected muscles), aches and pains, and paralysis. The cause of Guillain-Barre Syndrome is unknown; often it is triggered by a virus infection (like hepatitis, mononucleosis, etc.). The disease occurs in both sexes and at any age. Treatment for the disease consists of treating the different symptoms as they arise and rehabilitation. Most patients (around 90%) recover without serious long-term disabilities between six months and two years after the syndrome begins. The 1-5% death rate is usually due to respiratory or cardiovascular complications.
For more information, visit Guillain Barre Syndrome: An Overview for the Layperson.
- Guillain-Barré syndrome is characterized by weakness of of muscles of the limbs and the trunk, with paresthesia (tingling and numbness) and pain. The symptoms usually involve the legs first, progress to arms and facial muscles. In severe cases, when respiratory muscles are involved, the patient may require intubation and mechanically assisted ventilation. A mild upper respiratory or gastrointestinal infection preceedes the neuritic symptoms by 1 to 3 weeks in about half of the cases. There is an association with Campylobacter jejuni infection. Over 80% of patients have complete recovery which is extended over several weeks.