Let's learn about Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a strange disease that causes sudden loss of consciousness and numbness.

Imagine that you had a stomach ache or a cold about a week ago and were fine. But suddenly you start to feel strange weakness, starting with your toes. After a day or two, this feeling spreads up your legs, making it difficult to walk. Then your arms feel like they're going to go numb. It's a little scary to hear about something like this, isn't it? Today we're going to talk about this strange and rare condition called Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Although the name is a little hard to pronounce, it's important to know about it.

Simply put, what is Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)?

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare condition in which our body's own immune system goes haywire and attacks our own nervous system, especially the peripheral nerves that run to our limbs. It is also called an autoimmune condition .

Think of the nerves in our body as electrical wires. Just as there is insulation around these electrical wires, there is a protective covering called myelin around our nerves. When GBS occurs, our immune system attacks and destroys this myelin covering. Then, as if the insulation of those electrical wires is stripped away, the signals coming from the brain through the nerves do not travel properly. That is why the limbs start to go numb and lose their life.

The good news is that with proper treatment, most people can make a full recovery from this condition , but it can take some time.

Who is most likely to develop GBS? How common is it?

GBS can affect anyone of any age. Young children, young adults, and the elderly are all at risk. However, data shows that people between the ages of 30 and 50 are more likely to develop the condition.

This is a very rare condition. Worldwide, GBS occurs in about one in 100,000 new cases per year. That means that on average, about one in 78,000,000 people develop this disease each year. So it's not a very common disease.

What are the main symptoms of GBS?

In GBS, the symptoms are related to damage to the peripheral nerves that control things like our muscle movement, pain, temperature, and touch.

It begins with muscle weakness and/or numbness (paresthesia) . These symptoms come on suddenly. They usually start in the legs and feet and gradually spread upward, to the arms and face. Weakness in the legs can make it difficult to climb stairs or walk.

The severity of GBS varies from person to person. Some people may have very mild symptoms and recover. Others may have severe symptoms. Below are some other symptoms that may be seen.

What are the dangerous complications that can occur due to GBS?

GBS can cause life-threatening complications if it affects our autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is the system that controls the functions of our body without us realizing it. For example, things like heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion. Dysfunction of this system is called dysautonomia .

The main complications that can occur due to GBS are:

• Cardiac arrhythmias
• Blood pressure instability (too high or too low)
• Digestive system problems
• Difficulty controlling urine, such as urinary retention

Because of the potential for complications like these, GBS patients are often kept in the hospital's intensive care unit (ICU) and monitored constantly.

Why does GBS develop? What is the cause?

The exact cause of GBS is still unknown, but doctors call it a post-infectious, immune-mediated neuropathy . Let's explain it simply.

1. Post-infectious: "Post-infectious " means "after." This means that the disease often develops after another infection has resolved. About 70% of people who develop GBS have had some form of infection within a week to six weeks of the onset of symptoms.

2. Immune-mediated: We've talked about this before. This disease is caused by an abnormal response from our own immune system. After fighting off an infection, some people's immune systems go haywire and start attacking their own nerves.

3. Neuropathy: Simply put, damage to the nerves. In GBS, the damage is to the peripheral nerves.

Main factors that contribute to the occurrence of GBS

Researchers have identified several major infections and other causes that contribute to the development of GBS.

• Diarrhea or respiratory infection: About 2 in 3 people with GBS have diarrhea or a respiratory infection a few weeks before symptoms appear. Campylobacter jejuni , a bacteria that causes diarrhea, has been identified as a major cause of GBS.
• Viral infections: Some GBS patients have been reported to have developed viral infections such as flu, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and Zika virus .
• Vaccines: In very rare cases, GBS has been reported to develop days or weeks after receiving certain vaccines. However, the important thing to understand here is that the benefits of getting vaccinated far outweigh this very rare risk . Research has shown that the risk of developing GBS from getting the flu is much higher than the risk of developing GBS from getting the flu vaccine.
• Surgery:Also, very rarely, GBS can occur after certain surgeries.

How is GBS diagnosed?

Doctors diagnose GBS mainly based on your symptoms and medical history. Your doctor will ask you about how and when your symptoms started, and if you have had any recent illnesses. They will then perform a physical exam, especially to check for muscle weakness and decreased deep-tendon reflexes, such as in the knees.

However, since there are many other neurological diseases that have similar symptoms to GBS, the doctor will recommend several tests to rule out other diseases and confirm the GBS condition.

• Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Tests: These tests can assess the health and function of your muscles and the nerves that control them.
• Spinal Tap/Lumbar Puncture: This involves inserting a small needle into your lower back to take a small sample of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which surrounds your brain and spinal cord. Approximately 80% of patients with GBS have elevated protein levels in this fluid.
• MRI scan: An MRI scan of your spine may also be recommended.

What are the treatments for GBS?

If you are diagnosed with GBS, you will likely be admitted to the hospital's intensive care unit (ICU) to receive immediate treatment for any complications that we discussed earlier, such as difficulty breathing and changes in blood pressure.

There is no specific cure for GBS yet. However, there are two main treatments that can reduce the severity of the disease and shorten the recovery time.

If either of these treatments is started within two weeks of the onset of symptoms, the recovery time can be significantly shortened.

Rehabilitation

As your condition gradually improves, you may be transferred to a rehabilitation center. There, various therapists will help you regain your strength and get back to a level where you can perform daily activities on your own.

• Physical Therapy: Exercises and treatments are provided to rebuild muscle strength and control pain and stiffness.
• Occupational Therapy: Helps you learn to do daily tasks like getting dressed and eating again safely and easily.
• Speech Therapy: If you have difficulty swallowing or speaking, we can help you regain those skills.

What is the future of someone with GBS?

Most people with GBS recover significantly within a few months. However, some people, especially adults, may still have some degree of muscle weakness after three years. The recovery process may take longer for some people.

The good news is that people who recover from GBS can live a normal life span . The risk of death during the acute phase of the disease is less than 2%. This is largely due to the advanced intensive care treatments available today.

Can GBS be prevented?

In most cases, GBS cannot be prevented. Researchers still don't know exactly why some people develop GBS when they get an infection and others don't.

But we can reduce the risk to some extent by protecting ourselves from infections that can lead to GBS.

• Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
• Stay away from people with contagious illnesses like diarrhea and colds.
• To keep your immune system strong, eat a nutritious diet and exercise.
• Get all your vaccinations on time.

GBS is a serious condition that can suddenly turn your life upside down. But the best part is that with proper treatment and rehabilitation, most people can return to a normal life. The journey to recovery can be long and tiring. Don't hesitate to seek support from your doctors, nurses, and your family and friends along the way.