Guillain-Barre syndrome
Alternate Names : Landry-Guillain-Barre syndrome, Acute idiopathic polyneuritis, Infectious polyneuritis, Acute inflammatory polyneuropathy
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 remove proteins, called antibodies, from the blood. The process involves taking blood from the body, usually from the arm, pumping it into a machine that removes the antibodies, then sending it back into the body.
High-dose immunoglobulin therapy (IVIg) is another treatment used to reduce the severity and length of Guillain-Barre symptoms. In this case, the immunoglobulins are added to the blood in large quantity, blocking the antibodies that cause inflammation. 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
Prognosis (Expectations)
Recovery can take weeks or years. Most people survive and recover completely. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, about 30% 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.
Complications
- Breathing difficulty (respiratory failure)
- Contractures of joints or other deformity
- Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots that form when someone is inactive or confined to bed)
- Increased risk of infections
- Low or unstable blood pressure
- Permanent loss of movement of an area
- Pneumonia
- Sucking food or fluids into the lungs (aspiration)
Calling Your Health Care Provider
Seek immediate medical help if you have any of the following symptoms: - Can't take a deep breath
- Decreased feeling (sensation)
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Fainting
- Loss of movement
|
Previous
