Guillain-Barre syndrome Health Article

Signs and tests

A history of increasing muscle weakness and paralysis may be a sign of Guillain-Barre syndrome, especially if there was a recent illness.

A medical exam may show muscle weakness and problems with involuntary (autonomic) body functions such as blood pressure and heart rate. The examination may also show that reflexes, such as the "knee jerk," are decreased or missing.

There may be signs of decreased breathing (caused by paralysis of the breathing muscles).

The following tests may be ordered:

• Cerebrospinal fluid sample ("spinal tap") may have increased levels of protein without an increase in white blood cells.
• ECG may show heart problems in some cases.
• EMG tests the electrical activity in muscles. It may shows that nerves do not react properly to stimulation.
• Nerve conduction velocity test shows that electrical activity along the nerves is slowed or blocked.

Treatment

There is no cure for Guillain-Barre syndrome. However, many treatments are available to help reduce symptoms, treat complications, and speed up recovery.

When symptoms are severe, the patient will need to go to the hospital for breathing help, treatment, and physical therapy.

A method called plasmapheresis is used to clean a person's blood of proteins called antibodies. Blood is taken from the body, usually from the arm, pumped into a machine that removes the antibodies, then sent back into the body.

High-dose immunoglobulin therapy (IVIg) is another procedure used to reduce the severity and length of Guillain-Barre symptoms.

Other treatments are directed at preventing complications.

• Blood thinners may be used to prevent blood clots.
• If the diaphragm is week, breathing support or even a breathing tube and ventilator may be needed.
• Pain is treated aggressively with anti-inflammatory medicines and narcotics, if needed.
• Proper body positioning or a feeding tube may be used to prevent choking during feeding if the muscles for swallowing are weak.

Support Groups

Guillain-Barre Syndrome Foundation International - www.gbsfi.com

Expectations (prognosis)

Recovery can take weeks or years. Most people survive and recover completely. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, about 30 percent of patients still have some weakness after 3 years. Mild weakness may persist for some people.

A patient's outcome is most likely to be very good when the symptoms go away within 3 weeks after they first started.