Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Also called: Acute idiopathic polyneuritis, Acute inflammatory polyneuropathy, Infectious polyneuritis, Landry-Guillain-Barre syndrome

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Guillain-Barre Syndrome is the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

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Summary

Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare disorder that causes your immune system to attack your peripheral nervous system (PNS). The PNS nerves connect your brain and spinal cord with the rest of your body. Damage to these nerves makes it hard for them to transmit signals. As a result, your muscles have trouble responding to your brain. No one knows what causes the syndrome. Sometimes it is triggered by an infection, surgery, or a vaccination.

The first symptom is usually weakness or a tingling feeling in your legs. The feeling can spread to your upper body. In severe cases, you become almost paralyzed. This is life-threatening. You might need a respirator to breathe. Symptoms usually worsen over a period of weeks and then stabilize.

Guillain-Barre can be hard to diagnose. Possible tests include nerve tests and a spinal tap. Most people recover. Recovery can take a few weeks to a few years. Treatment can help symptoms, and may include medicines or a procedure called plasma exchange.

NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Start Here

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)Also in Spanish
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary
Guillain-Barré Syndrome Fact Sheet (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)Also in Spanish

Diagnosis and Tests

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Analysis (National Library of Medicine)Also in Spanish

Related Issues

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and Flu Vaccine (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)Also in Spanish
Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Menactra Meningococcal Vaccine(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Zika and Guillain-Barré Syndrome (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)Also in Spanish

Specifics

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)Also in Spanish
Miller Fisher Syndrome (GBS/CIDP Foundation International) - PDF
Miller Fisher Syndrome (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)