Guillain Barre Syndrome

I.Abstract Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an auto-immune disease that is rare but can lead to paralysis of limbs and the diaphragm. Ventilatory failure is commonly seen in patients with progressing diseases. The causes of GBS syndrome is unknown, however a few culprits are being studied. The most common explanation for GBS is the demyelination of the peripheral nervous system. Other causes in question include flu vaccinations and certain bacteria such as Campylobacter Jejuni. Patients diagnosed with GBS start off with a febrile episode, followed by muscle weakness, ascending paralyzation, and increased oral secretions. A patient can be diagnosed better by various testing such as measuring the patient’s Negative inspiratory force, blood gasses and vital capacity. The management of GBS is fairly easy but very tedious, the diagnostic numbers must be constantly updated and therefore stabilization and continuous monitoring of vital signs is an important method to manage the disease. Treatments include continuous bronchopulmonary hygiene and mechanical ventilation. More serious cases of the disease can be treated with procedures such as Plasmaphoresis and High immunoglobin transfusions. The onset of the disease will eventually stop and will spontaneously reverse itself. 90% of patients recover from the disease with the help of early diagnosis, proper management and physical rehabilitation. Only 10% of these patients will recover but with permanent neurological damage. In conclusion, the disease is fairly insidious but is manageable and can be overcome by most of the patients that get it. Although a severe and high level medical emergency disease, the probability of regaining health after an episode is very high and successful.

II.Introduction A disease that is continually studied, the Guillain- Barre Syndrome proves to be an uncommon occurrence that is still ill defined due to causes of pathophysiologic abnormalities are unknown. There are different types

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