Guillain-Barré syndrome

What is Guillain-Barré syndrome? A Guillain-Barré syndrome It is a disorder that occurs in the immune system. In this syndrome, the immune system begins to attack parts of the nervous system of the body itself. Generally, the most affected parts are the nerves that connect the brain with the rest of the body.

These disorders can happen after infections such as diarrhea caused by Campylobacter bacteria. Guillain-Barré syndrome begins to manifest itself with episodes of weakness and absence of reflexes.

Guillain-Barré syndrome usually occurs in young people, between 20 and 40 years old, but it is an infrequent condition, considered rare, with an annual occurrence of 1 to 4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

Causes of Guillain-Barré syndrome

The most common cause of Guillain-Barré syndrome is infection with the Campylobacter bacteria, which causes the common diarrheal spells.

However, other infections are also associated with the occurrence of Guillain-Barré syndrome such as

Zika, dengue, chikungunya, cytomegalovirus, measles, influenza A, hepatitis A, B and C, HIV virus, etc.

Symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome

the main ones symptoms of Guillain-Barré syndrome they are:

• Numbness sensation;
• Burning in the extremities of the lower limbs and later in the upper limbs;
• Pain in the lumbar, spine and head for no apparent reason;
• Leg pains;
• Progressive weakness;
• In more severe cases, total paralysis.

Symptoms such as drowsiness, mental confusion, epileptic seizures, coma, double vision, tremors, easy weakness where the person cannot keep their mouth closed, for example, may also occur.

Treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome

Guillain-Barré syndrome can be treated free of charge by the Unified Health System (SUS). Treatment involves clinical diagnoses, medications and rehabilitation to recover lost movements.

Treatment is aimed at reducing complications and controlling the symptoms of the acute phase of the disease, thus reducing long-term neurological damage.

Drug treatments based on intravenous immunoglobulin and transfusion of blood plasma, the so-called plasmapheresis.

Outside the acute phase of the disease, there is no indication for maintenance treatment.

Is there a cure for Guillain-Barré syndrome?

Guillain-Barré syndrome has no cure, but it can be controlled and the recovered person can live with a good quality of life.

Some symptoms of weakness can persist for years, even after the end of treatment, which can be quite long.

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