What is Guillain-Barre
Syndrome? Guillain-Barré (ghee-yan bah-ray)
syndrome is a disorder in which the body''s immune
system attacks part of the
peripheral nervous system. The first
symptoms of this disorder include varying
degrees of weakness or tingling sensations in the legs. In many instances, the
weakness and abnormal sensations spread to the arms and upper body. These
symptoms can increase in intensity until the muscles cannot be used at all and
the patient is almost totally paralyzed. In these cases, the disorder is
life-threatening and is considered a medical emergency. The patient is often
put on a respirator to assist with breathing. Most patients, however, recover
from even the most severe cases of Guillain-Barré
syndrome, although some continue
to have some degree of weakness. Guillain-Barré syndrome is rare. Usually
Guillain-Barré occurs a few days or weeks after the patient has had symptoms of
a respiratory or gastrointestinal viral infection. Occasionally, surgery or
vaccinations will trigger the syndrome. The disorder can develop over the
course of hours or days, or it may take up to 3 to 4 weeks. No one yet knows
why Guillain-Barré strikes some people and not others or what sets the disease
in motion. What scientists do know is that the body''s immune system begins to
attack the body itself, causing what is known as an autoimmune disease.
Guillain-Barré is called a syndrome rather than a disease because it is not
clear that a specific disease-causing agent is involved. Reflexes such as knee
jerks are usually lost. Because the signals traveling along the nerve are
slower, a nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test can give a doctor clues to aid
the diagnosis. The cerebrospinal fluid that bathes the spinal cord and brain
contains more protein than usual, so a physician may decide to perform a spinal
tap.