Guillain-Barré Syndrome Analysis

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rapidly progressing disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system and causes motor weakness. The progression of the disorder is as quick as hours, days, or even weeks from the onset of symptoms. Medical attention should be sought after as soon as possible on the account of the disease could become life threatening if the progression affects the muscles that control the breathing. The progression in which GBS affects the body begins in the distal limbs, progresses upwards in the body, and is symmetrical.
GBS has been commonly seen after an infection, either respiratory or gastrointestinal, however the exact cause is unknown. According to the literature review by Anita
They are known as: acute motor axonal neuropathy, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, multifocal motor neuropathy and Miller Fisher syndrome. Patients who suffer from the acute motor axonal neuropathy form of GBS have intact sensory nerves, but do require the support from a mechanical ventilator. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy is a chronic, slow progressing disorder that can cause severe nerve damage. The symptoms are symmetrical weakness and sensory changes. In contrast to other forms, their breathing, swallowing, and speaking is rarely affected. The symptoms can present for months before any function is affected. Multifocal motor neuropathy is a chronic inflammatory neuropathy. Unlike other forms of GBS, this form is known for episodes of right or left side, asymmetrical, distal limb weakness of the upper extremities more often than the lower extremities. This disorder can last anywhere from two to as long as twenty years or more.
The distinctive feature of Miller Fisher Syndrome is the patients are affected by paralysis in the head, consequently resulting in difficulty controlling the eye muscles and balance. These patients have abnormal muscle coordination, paralysis of the eye muscles, absence of tendon reflexes, generalized muscle weakness and respiratory failure. They will begin to recover in as little as two to four weeks after the onset of symptoms and may be complete within six months. They rarely
Foot drop is one of the contractures seen in patients on prolonged bed rest. Due to the paralysis, they do not have the ability to contract their foot up into dorsiflexion, leading to the shortening of the Achilles tendon and/or the calf muscles. Performing passive range of motion or even placing the patient in a splint or a brace can prevent this contracture from occurring. Furthermore, the paralysis of the lower extremities makes it impossible for the patient to contract their muscles moving the blood back to the heart. Therefore, causing the blood to pool in the lower extremities resulting in a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A common symptom of this is edema in the legs. Treatment includes blood thinners, elastic stockings, TED hose, or sequential compression devices