Imagine waking up and feeling fine one morning, then in a few hours, an awkward feeling grows in your legs. This gradually becomes painful to make basic movements; that could be GBS, a somewhat rare disorder increasingly brought into the limelight across the globe. As cases rise, especially in Maharashtra, it is a good idea to learn about Guillain-Barré Syndrome, its symptoms, causes, and precautions, trying to be more informed and prepared.

GBS is an immune system disorder, affecting the peripheral nervous system. Put simply in its own most straightforward terms, it just makes muscles weak, steals away reflexes, and worst is, it paralyzes people. Though non-contagious, GBS can prove to be fatal if not treated at the right time. In this blog post, we take you through everything you’d want to know about Guillain-Barré Syndrome in an easy-to-understand manner.

What Is Guillain-Barré Syndrome?

Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a neurological disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s nerves. This causes inflammation, and symptoms range from mild tingling to severe paralysis. Most people recover from GBS with proper medical care, but some may experience long-term effects.

GBS can occur at any age, but more adults and men become victims of this disease. GBS’s cause is still unknown, but most scientists believe that these incidents of GBS are a result of infections and diseases; thus, proper identification concerning the symptoms must be recognized at the earliest time to provide appropriate medical treatment.

Some symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Often it comes out very rapidly. There may be mild signs of GBS, which later lead to severe complications. Some of the warning signs are as follows:

1. Tingling Sensation and Numbness

The initial symptoms commonly begin as tingling or numbness. Generally, this starts in the toes and fingers. This movement can ascend to arms and legs, and even to the face.

2. Muscle Weakness

Gradually, muscle weakness results in an inability to walk, climb the stairs, or hold onto items. In extreme cases, one cannot move.

3. Loss of Reflexes

At a later stage, the progress of GBS results in the weakening of knee jerks and other arm movements or loss of reflexes. This aspect of the condition also makes it challenging to get up or to hold items such as items.

4. Difficulty Breathing

Extreme conditions of Guillain-Barré Syndrome include the muscles to breathe within its specter. When that happens, medical intervention is required.

5. Severe Pain

At times, the patient feels a sharp aching in his muscles. It usually occurs at night. The pain may be sharp or cramping/aching/pulsating type.

6. Trouble in Eye Movement, Speech, or Swallowing

This disorder also results in problems that begin with an inability to move the eyes and speak up even when it progresses to the act of swallowing.

7. Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Condition

GBS may result from a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous that can develop cardiac dysfunctions, alteration of blood pressure, and problems in digestion.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome Causes

To date, no one has found out the proper cause behind Guillain-Barré Syndrome but it is also observed that many cases occur due to infection. Some probable causes are these:

1. Viral and Bacterial Infections

Most of the cases of GBS have occurred after viral or bacterial infections. Some of them include:

1. Respiratory infections
2. Gastrointestinal infections, which include Campylobacter jejuni bacteria
3. Influenza (flu)
4. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
5. COVID-19

2. Recent Vaccinations

Rare but a few cases of flu and COVID-19 vaccination have been related to GBS. The danger of GBS because of the vaccine is, after all, much lower compared to the risk posed by the disease itself.

3. Surgery or Trauma

GBS has been prompted by major surgery and serious injury, though the nature of the relationship remains obscure.

4. Autoimmune Response

Guillain-Barré Syndrome has been termed to be an autoimmune disease. Here, the human body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own nerve cells. It may be provoked by infections or some other undetermined etiology.

Prevention and Precautions for Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Guillain-Barré Syndrome cannot be prevented in an absolute sense; however, the following precautions will decrease the likelihood of acquiring this syndrome.

1. Good Hygiene

Since GBS is primarily an infectious disease, proper hand hygiene and hygiene can prevent infections that lead to the syndrome.

2. Vaccinated but Informed

Just because some vaccines have been considered a risk factor for GBS in very rare cases, does not mean they still are not important in the prevention of dangerous infections. Share your history of autoimmune diseases with your physician during vaccination talks.

3. Improve Your Immunity

Good health, physical exercise, and enough sleep keep your immune system in good condition, and you might avoid those infections that may lead to GBS.

4. Consult a Doctor When You Contract the Infection

You must see a doctor to receive appropriate treatment whenever flu and other stomach viruses take control of your body by causing frequent infections. The earlier the treatment, the chances of preventing post-infection complications such as Guillain-Barré Syndrome from arising.

5. Look for Early Signs and be Aware of Them

The sooner GBS is diagnosed, the better the chance of full recovery. But still, if one starts feeling an unsolvable tingling or weakness in the hands and legs, or experiencing difficulty in breathing, he should see a doctor at once.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a very severe disease; yet, with good medical care, most people affected by this disease make a full recovery. As long as this disease spreads gradually but steadily, you can support someone in identifying the early manifestations of this condition by being alert to the source of the disease and some prevention measures that ought to be set in place.

If any person experiences symptoms such as unusual muscle weakness or a prickling sensation in their body, go see the doctor right away. Live informed, be cautious, and take care of your health. Though the incidence of Guillain-Barré Syndrome is low, awareness and knowledge will prove to be of great help in creating a better future for everyone.

We can let them know the symptoms at an early stage and take necessary precautions if we publicize their awareness of Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Do share this article with your friends and family so they become aware of it too!