Guillain Barre Syndrome
Erika Crans
Unit 4 Assignment 2
Dr. J
April 13, 2015
GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROM Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves. Instead of your immune system fighting of illnesses, it attacks the myelin sheath surrounding the nerves. The myelin sheath is destroyed, and the damage prevents the nerves from transmitting signal to the brain. It spreads very quickly and is considered a medical emergency in its most severe form. The syndrome usually begins with weakness and tingling in the lower extremities; feet and legs. It is an aggressive syndrome and quickly moves its way up the trunk to upper body and arms. In very rare cases, first symptoms are noticed in the face and arms. Guillain-Barre disease can be difficult to diagnose early on because the signs and symptoms are similar to other neurological diseases and vary from person to person. Most people with the condition require hospitalization to receive treatment, and at worst, the syndrome goes from weakness to paralysis. People with Guillain-Barre syndrome normally experience the greatest weakness two to four weeks after the symptoms begin. By four weeks, patients normally plateau and recovery begins. Recovery can last six to 12 months, but cases have been found to last as long as three years. There is no cure for the syndrome but treatments can ease the symptoms. Although there is no cure, people do recover from Guillain-Barre Syndrome with potential lingering effects like weakness, numbness and fatigue. Guillain-Barre syndrome is thought to occur in three main forms. The first is acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneneuropathy (AIDP). This form starts in the lower body and is predominantly in the United States. The second form is called Miller fisher syndrome (MFS) in which paralysis starts in the eyes. It is most commonly found in Asia. The last one is acute motor Axonal neuropathy (AMAN) and most frequently found in China, Japan and
Unit 4 Assignment 2
Dr. J
April 13, 2015
GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROM Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves. Instead of your immune system fighting of illnesses, it attacks the myelin sheath surrounding the nerves. The myelin sheath is destroyed, and the damage prevents the nerves from transmitting signal to the brain. It spreads very quickly and is considered a medical emergency in its most severe form. The syndrome usually begins with weakness and tingling in the lower extremities; feet and legs. It is an aggressive syndrome and quickly moves its way up the trunk to upper body and arms. In very rare cases, first symptoms are noticed in the face and arms. Guillain-Barre disease can be difficult to diagnose early on because the signs and symptoms are similar to other neurological diseases and vary from person to person. Most people with the condition require hospitalization to receive treatment, and at worst, the syndrome goes from weakness to paralysis. People with Guillain-Barre syndrome normally experience the greatest weakness two to four weeks after the symptoms begin. By four weeks, patients normally plateau and recovery begins. Recovery can last six to 12 months, but cases have been found to last as long as three years. There is no cure for the syndrome but treatments can ease the symptoms. Although there is no cure, people do recover from Guillain-Barre Syndrome with potential lingering effects like weakness, numbness and fatigue. Guillain-Barre syndrome is thought to occur in three main forms. The first is acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneneuropathy (AIDP). This form starts in the lower body and is predominantly in the United States. The second form is called Miller fisher syndrome (MFS) in which paralysis starts in the eyes. It is most commonly found in Asia. The last one is acute motor Axonal neuropathy (AMAN) and most frequently found in China, Japan and