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Guillain-Barre syndrome is an uncommon inflammatory disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves, typically causing severe weakness and numbness that usually starts in your extremities and quickly worsens. Eventually your whole body can become paralyzed, even the muscles used for breathing.
The exact cause of Guillain-Barre syndrome is unknown, but it sometimes is triggered by a respiratory infection or the stomach flu. Luckily, this potentially deadly disorder is relatively rare, occurring worldwide in only one or two people per 100,000. All age groups can be affected, but it occurs most often in young adults and the elderly.
In its most severe form, Guillain-Barre syndrome is a medical emergency requiring hospitalization. About 30 percent of the people who have the disorder will temporarily need the help of a machine to breathe.
There is no cure for the disorder, but several treatments can ease symptoms and reduce the duration of the illness. Most people recover completely from even the most severe cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Guillain-Barre syndrome usually begins with weakness, tingling or loss of sensation starting in your feet and legs and spreading to your upper body and arms. In some people, these symptoms begin in the arms or even the face. As the disorder progresses, muscle weakness can evolve into paralysis. Other signs and symptoms may include:- Difficulty with eye movement, facial movement, speaking, chewing or swallowing
- Severe pain in the lower back
- Difficulty with bladder control or intestinal functions
- Very slow heart rate or low blood pressure
- Difficulty breathing
Most people with Guillain-Barre syndrome experience their most significant weakness within three weeks after symptoms begin. In some cases, signs and symptoms may progress very rapidly with complete paralysis of legs, arms and breathing muscles over the course of a few hours.
A potentially deadly complication of Guillain-Barre syndrome is that the weakness or paralysis can spread to the muscles that control your breathing. About 30 percent of the people who have the disorder will require temporary help from a machine to breathe. About 5 percent will die, despite intensive care.
But 80 percent of the people with Guillain-Barre syndrome recover completely or have only minor, residual weakness or abnormal sensations, such as numbness or tingling. Five percent to 10 percent experience more serious, permanent problems with sensation and coordination, including some cases of severe disability. And about one in 10 of those affected is at risk of experiencing a relapse.
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