What is Guillain-Barré syndrome?
Guillain-Barre syndrome (G.B.S) is classed as an ‘autoimmune’disease. This means that the body’s immune system produces proteins known as ‘antibodies which for some reason, attack various parts of the body. The immune system starts to destroy the myelin sheath that surrounds the axons of many peripheral nerves, or even the axons themselves (axons are long, thin extensions of the nerve cells; they carry nerve signals). The myelin sheath surrounding the axon speeds up the transmission of nerve signals and allows the transmission of signals over long distances.In diseases in which the peripheral nerves' myelin sheaths are injured or degraded, the nerves cannot transmit signals efficiently. That is why the muscles begin to lose their ability to respond to the brain's commands, commands that must be carried through the nerve network. The brain also receives fewer sensory signals from the rest of the body, resulting in an inability to feel textures, heat, pain, and other sensations. Alternately, the brain may receive inappropriate signals that result in tingling, "crawling-skin," or painful sensations. Because the signals to and from the arms and legs must travel the longest distances they are most vulnerable to interruption. Therefore, muscle weakness and tingling sensations usually first appear in the hands and feet and progress upwards.
New Studies shows that Bacteria in Uncooked Chicken Poses Risk for Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
A University research team in Michigan State shows how a common bacterium found in improperly cooked chicken causes Guillain-Barre Syndrome or GBS.Campylobacter jejuni, which is a common bacteria that has been identified to trigger Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GB) in people, can still thrive in chicken that has not been cooked based on the required minimum internal temperature.
Infections that may trigger it include:
- Campylobacter jejuni, which can cause a type of food poisoning.
- MycoplasmaMycoplasma, which can cause pneumonia.
- Cytomegalovirus, which can cause fever, chills, sore throat, swollen glands, body aches, and fatigue.
- EPSTEIN Barr Virus, which can cause mononucleosis (mono).
- Varicella-zoster virus, which can cause Chickenpox and Shingles.
Symptoms Of G.B.S
These appear 3 weeks after an infection. They worsen over a period of time and reach a peak 2 to 4 weeks after the initial onset. These symptoms vary in their severity when they reach this peak, which differs between individuals.
- Tingling or numbness in the arms and legs
- Weakness: this starts in the lower half of the body and gradually moves up towards the middle. If it spreads to the chest, neck and head then it can affect eye movements, breathing and the ability to swallow.
- Muscle pain or nerve pain: this tends to be worse during the night or when movement occurs.
- Affects the autonomic nervous system: this causes problems with blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, pulse, and eyesight.
The risk with this is if the chest muscles become affected which will lead to breathing problems. If this occurs then the person affected will need to be put onto a ventilator to aid with their breathing. A tube called a ‘naso-gastric’ tube will be inserted to help with swallowing and the digestion of food.
Treatment.
One medical procedure that can be useful in the treatment of GBS is called plasma phoresis. It is also known as plasma exchange. In plasmapheresis, antibody-laden blood plasma (the liquid portion of the blood) is removed from the body. Red blood cells are separated and put back into the body with antibody-free plasma or intravenous fluid. The treatment can lessen the symptoms of GBS and hasten recovery time.
Another procedure that produces similar results involves the administration of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG). Both treatments have been shown to speed up recovery time by up to 50%. IVIG has been shown to be an effective treatment for immune-system-related neuropathies in general. IVIG may act by reducing the amount of anti-myelin antibodies through the binding of the defective antibodies by healthy antibodies contained in the IVIG solution, and in suppressing the immune response.
Physiotherapy Management.
Aims of Treatment are to:
1. Maintain clear airways
2. Prevent lung infection
3. Maintain anatomical joint range
4. Support joint in functional position to minimize damage or deformity
5. Prevention of pressure sores
6. Maintain peripheral circulation
7. Provide psychological support for the patient and relatives.
Exercises to be prescribed to the patient should be started with low repetitions and short, frequent bouts of exercises matched to the patient's muscular strength.
a) Use short periods of non-fatiguing exercises matched to the patient's strength.
b) Progression of the exercise should be done only if the patient improves or if there is no deterioration in status after a week.
c) Return the patient to bed rest if a decrease in muscle strength or function occurs.
d) The objective should be directed towards not only at improving function but also in improving strength.
More than 95% of people afflicted with GBS survive. In about 20% of people, however, muscle weakness and fatigue may remain.
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