Name: Sohaila abdelatif Ghareeb
Id:101761
Introduction
In Guillain-Barré syndrome, the body's immune system
attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. The syndrome
can affect the nerves that control muscle movement as well
as those that transmit pain, temperature and touch
sensations. This can result in muscle weakness, loss of
sensation in the legs and/or arms, and problems swallowing
or breathing.
It is a rare condition, and while it is more common in adults
and in males, people of all ages can be affected.
Defination
Guillain-Barre (gee-YAH-bbuh-RAY) syndrome is a rare
disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your
nerves. Weakness and tingling in your hands and feet are
usually the first symptoms.
These sensations can quickly spread, eventually paralyzing
your whole body. In its most severe form Guillain-Barre
syndrome is a medical emergency. Most people with the
condition must be hospitalized to receive treatment.
Causes
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is rare. The cause of it is not
fully understood, but most cases follow an infection with a
virus or bacteria. This leads the immune system to attack the
body itself. Infection with the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni,
which causes gastroenteritis (including symptoms of nausea,
vomiting and diarrhoea), is one of the most common risk
factors for GBS. People can also develop GBS after having the
flu or other viral infections including cytomegalovirus,
Epstein-Barr virus, and the Zika virus.
In rare instances, vaccinations may increase the risk of
people getting GBS, but the chance of this occurring is
extremely low. Studies show that people are much more
likely to get GBS from infections such as the flu than from the
vaccine given to prevent the infection, in this case the flu
vaccine. Occasionally, surgery can trigger GBS.
Symptoms and sings:
Symptoms typically last a few weeks, with most individuals
recovering without long-term, severe neurological
complications.
The first symptoms of Guillain-Barré syndrome include
weakness or tingling sensations. They usually start in the
legs and can spread to the arms and face.
For some people, these symptoms can lead to paralysis of
the legs, arms, or muscles in the face. In approximately one
third of people, the chest muscles are affected, making it
hard to breathe.
The ability to speak and swallow may become affected in
severe cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome. These cases are
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considered life-threatening, and affected individuals should
be treated in intensive-care units.
Most people recover fully from even the most severe cases of
Guillain-Barré syndrome, although some continue to
experience weakness.
Even in the best of settings, a small number of Guillain-Barré
syndrome patients die from complications, which can
include paralysis of the muscles that control breathing,
blood infection, lung clots, or cardiac arrest.
Risk Factor:
The predictive factors for severe GBS included older age,
recent history of surgery, cranial nerve impairment, and
elevated levels of liver enzymes. The predictors for the
requirement of MV in severe GBS patients included lower
MRC at nadir and autonomic dysfunction.
Treatment:
The most commonly used treatment for Guillain-Barré
syndrome is intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).
When you have Guillain-Barré syndrome, the immune
system (the body's natural defences) produces harmful
antibodies that attack the nerves.
IVIG is a treatment made from donated blood that contains
healthy antibodies. These are given to help stop the harmful
antibodies damaging your nerves.
IVIG is given directly into a vein.
Plasma exchange (plasmapheresis)
A plasma exchange, also called plasmapheresis, is sometimes
used instead of IVIG.
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This involves being attached to a machine that removes
blood from a vein and filters out the harmful antibodies that
are attacking your nerves before returning the blood to your
body.
Most people need treatment over the course of around 5
days.
Other treatments:
While in hospital, you'll be closely monitored to check for
any problems with your lungs, heart or other body functions.
You'll also be given treatment to relieve your symptoms and
reduce the risk of further problems. This may include:
a breathing machine (ventilator) if you're having difficulty
breathing
a feeding tube if you have swallowing problems
painkillers if you're in pain
being gently moved around on a regular basis to avoid
pressure sores and keep your joints healthy
a thin tube called a catheter in your urethra (the tube that
carries urine out of the body) if you have difficulty peeing
laxatives if you have constipation
medicine and/or special leg stockings to prevent blood clots.
Conclusions:
In our study, clinical risk factors of severity in GBS, the
requirement of MV, and unfavorable short-term prognosis in
severe GBS have been clearly expressed in our study. A
recent history of surgery is a predictor of severity in GBS
patients and is associated with the poor short-term
prognosis of severe GBS, but further research is needed to
confirm this and be in depth.
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