Peru declares health emergency over Guillain-Barre Syndrome; know more about the neurological disorder

What is Guillain-Barre Syndrome?

Explaining this, Dr Sanjay Pandey, head of the Department of Neurology, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, said that Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a rare autoimmune disorder that affects the peripheral nervous system (PNS). “In GBS, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nervous system, resulting in weakness and in severe cases, paralysis,” Dr Pandey said.

Dr Ashish Gosar, Neurologist, Bhatia Hospital, Mumbai added that it mainly affects the peripheral nerves and roots and is known in medical terms as acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. The immune response mounted by the body to fight the infection affects the person’s own nerves.

While the exact cause of the disorder is not yet known, reports suggest that two-thirds of patients saw symptoms of an infection — Covid-19 or gastrointestinal infection or Zika virus — in the six weeks preceding.

“GBS is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system starts damaging the myelin sheaths of peripheral nerves. It has no defined cause, but it generally occurs after any viral or bacterial infection. It can strike at any age– in both males and females. It might also be genetic,” Dr Pandey said.

Symptoms

While there is no known cure for GBS, Dr Pandey said that treatment is given to reduce complications and the severity of the diseases. (Source: Freepik)

The symptoms of GBS are usually bilateral, which means they appear on both sides of the body, and intensify rapidly.

Dr Pandey explained that as the condition advances, the initial signs are weakness, which can also affect the arms, face and even the muscles involved in breathing.

“Since the nerves are affected, the patient’s brain might receive abnormal sensations from the body– leading to tingling sensations– known as paresthesia — along with pain. Other symptoms due to muscle weakness include difficulty in eye movement, swallowing, digestion, bladder control and respiratory loss,” he added.

Treatment

While there is no known cure for GBS, Dr Pandey said that treatment is given to reduce complications and the severity of the disease.

“Plasma exchange and IVIg (Intravenous Immunoglobulin) therapy are given to the patient to dilute the effect of antibodies attacking nerves and reduce damage. Supportive and rehabilitative care is extremely important to address complications like paralysis and breathing problems. Physiotherapy is also needed to help the patients use their muscles effectively,” he said.

Similarly, Dr Gosar said that once the diagnosis is confirmed by doing a Nerve conduction study and a cerebrospinal fluid examination, the patient is treated with Intravenous immunoglobulin or plasmapheresis. “Post-initial treatment patient requires long term physiotherapy, neurorehabilitation and at times may take 6 months for recovery. Around 5 percent patients may remain with residual deficit,” he added.

Concluding, Dr Pandey noted that one cannot prevent GBS totally but can maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to stay away from its probable causes.

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