What is Guillain-Barre Syndrome?

Causes of Guillain-Barre Syndrome

While doctors don’t know the exact causes of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, they have zeroed in on the following possibilities based on the patterns they observed in patients.

1. Certain infections

Nearly 70% of the people diagnosed with this syndrome had an illness 1 to 6 weeks before the first symptoms. Infections from an ailment are usually the most common triggers for the Guillain-Barre Syndrome. However, it is still not known why only some people may develop this syndrome after sickness, and some do not.

Based on the different cases analysed, doctors have identified the following infections as common triggers for GBS.

• Campylobacter infections (bacteria found in improperly cooked poultry and dairy products)

• Viral infections (Influenza, Zika, Hepatitis A, B, C & E, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, COVID-19 and HIV)

• Severe respiratory ailments (mycoplasma pneumonia)

2. Abnormal functioning of the immune system

One of the first symptoms of GBS is the abnormal functioning of the immune system. However, not all immune system dysfunctionalities lead to GBS.

The immune system, which functions improperly, starts attacking the peripheral nerves of your body. Repeated nerve damage causes the erosion of your nerves' insulation (protective covering, known as myelin sheath in medical terms), thereby leading to muscle weakness, tingling sensation, and numbness.

3. Other less common reasons for the Guillain-Barre Syndrome may include

• Trauma

• Certain surgeries

• Certain Vaccinations, in rare cases (usually vaccinations given to children and influenza vaccinations)

• Hodgkin lymphoma

Treatment of Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Your doctor may ask you to get electromyography, nerve conduction test, spinal tap, and imaging tests to rule out other neurological problems and confirm your condition as GBS. Currently, there is no known cure for this syndrome, but if the symptoms are identified early, you can recover well, as these can be managed better than before.

The treatment of Guillain-Barre Syndrome takes time, so you should be prepared for an extended stay in the hospital. Many people recover from all the symptoms within six weeks of receiving therapies.

Doctors may choose one of the following treatment methods if you are diagnosed with GBS:

1. Plasmapheresis

This treatment is also known as the plasma exchange method. Here, the doctor separates the plasma from your blood, removes the antibodies that damage your peripheral nerves, cleans the plasma, and returns it with the blood to your body.

2. Intravenous Immunoglobin Therapy (IVIG)

In this treatment, immunoglobins are injected intravenously into your body. These antibodies are natural proteins that prevent your immune system from attacking the peripheral nerves. Doctors inject you with immunoglobins provided by healthy donors.

What is the best treatment for Guillain-Barre Syndrome from these two? We cannot answer this for you because both therapies lessen the impact of GBS and reduce your recovery time. Your doctor may assess your condition and choose the best treatment that suits you.

Apart from these, doctors may also give you a few medications to stop blood clots and relieve the pain. To help you recover well, your physician may advise you to go for physical therapies, occupational therapies, speech therapies, and mobility aids after your GBS treatment.