Guillan Barre syndrome (GBS) is a rare condition that affects the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system contains the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. If you have a GBS, the covering layer of your nerves called the myelin sheath, is damaged. This result is an interruption of the transmission of signals received from and sent to the brain. Because of this, your nerves cannot transmit signals efficiently.
Guillan Barre syndrome is also an autoimmune disorder. Autoimmune disorders are conditions that occur when the body detects its own cells or tissues as foreign and begins to attack them. The body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nervous system and consequently destroys the myelin sheath that surrounds the nerves.
Symptoms of Guillan Barre syndrome
GBS initially affects the muscles of the legs and arms, but can affect all parts of the body eventually. It is common to feel numbness, tingling, vibration and pain in the affected muscles. The symptoms typically start in the feet and progress up the body (ascending paralysis). In some people, the entire body can be paralyzed including the muscles used for breathing and muscles in the face. The symptoms can take a few days or weeks to progress, but recovery may take approximately six months to two years.
Guillan Barre Syndrome Symptoms
The symptoms of GBS can get bad quickly. Muscle weakness or loss of muscle function (paralysis) on both sides of the body starting from the legs to the arms is the hallmark sign of GBS. Because the inflammation affects including the breathing muscles, you may need breathing assistance to sustain respiration and ventilation. Typical symptoms of GBS are the following:
- Absence of tendon reflexes in arms or legs
- Tingling or numbness sensation
- Cramp-like pain in the affected extremity
- Uncoordinated walking or gait
- Low blood pressure
- Abnormal heart rate
Importance of first aid management in GBS
Uncommon symptoms of GBS include blurred or double vision, falling or clumsiness, difficulty moving the facial muscles, involuntary muscle contractions and palpitations. In severe cases, you may experience life-threatening conditions that might need emergency medical attention. This is very crucial especially when the symptoms progress to affect the respiratory muscles, resulting in a temporary cessation of breathing, difficulty of breathing and shortness of breath, difficulty in swallowing, drooling, fainting and feeling light-headed. Knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and artificial respiration can mean the difference between life and death in these situations. It is common for loved ones to attend a basic first aid and CPR course (register here) if a loved one has GBS.
References:
MedlinePlus. Guillain Barre Syndrome. Retrieved on July 11, 2014 from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000684.htm.