(GBS) is also known as acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP). is a rare neurological disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks part of its peripheral nervous system — the nerves that lie outside the brain and spinal cord.
The onset of GBS can be very sudden and unexpected, requiring immediate hospitalization. It can develop within a few days or it can take up to several weeks, with the worst weakness occurring in the first few weeks after symptoms appear
.It can affect people of any age, men and women equally. GBS usually develops after a respiratory or gastrointestinal viral infection.
Normally, cells of the immune system only attack foreign substances and invading organisms, but in GBS, the immune system begins to destroy the myelin sheaths that surround many nerve cell axons, sometimes even the axons themselves.
When this happens, nerves cannot send signals efficiently, muscles lose their ability to respond to brain commands, and the brain receives fewer sensory signals from the rest of the body. The result is an inability to feel heat pain and other sensations and weakness.
GBS can occur following surgical injury or immune response to viral infection.
Symptoms usually start in your feet and hands and spread to your arms and legs.
? What is symptoms*
:At first you may have:
●numbness
●pins and needles
●muscle weakness
●pain
●Balance and coordination issues
These symptoms may continue to get worse In severe cases, you may have difficulty walking, breathing and/or swallowing
To diagnose GBS, you may need the following tests:
Spinal tap (lumbar puncture).*
A special needle is inserted into the lower back into the spinal canal. This is the area around the spinal cord. The pressure in the spinal canal and brain can then be measured. A small amount of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may be removed and sent for testing to determine if there is an infection or other problems.
.Electrodiagnostic tests*
Such as electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV). These studies are aimed at evaluating and diagnosing diseases of muscles and motor neurons. Electrodes inserted into muscles or placed on the skin covering muscles or muscle groups, and electrical activity and muscle responses was recorded.
Treatment
Doctors usually treat GBS disease with antibiotics. Occasionally, people with soft tissue and bone infections may require additional treatment, such as surgery. Treatment will depend on the type of infection caused by the GBS bacteria. It is important to start treatment as soon as possible.
.complication
Babies*
Babies may have long-term problems, such as deafness and developmental disabilities.
Even with good care, babies can still die.
Adults*
Severe GBS infections, such as bacteremia sepsis and pneumonia, can also be fatal in adults. On average, 1 in 20 non-pregnant adults with severe GBS infection dies.
Physical therapy management.
our specialised physiotherapists aim to*
Individualized treatment to help restore movement and function. Some of the physical therapy we offer can help:
● Increase muscle strength through strengthening and mobilization exercises.
● Improve balance and flexibility by evaluating different walkers and later re-education.
●Reduce muscle stiffness, cramps and pain with a stretching program.
●Reduce postural instability and balance problems through core stability exercises and balance training.
● Reduce the risk of falls by balancing reeducation and training in work gait.
● Improve independence and quality of life.
●Fatigue management and advice.
● Support the joint in a functional position to minimize injury or deformation.
●Keep the airway open and prevent lung infection.
Workout plan will depend on your *
individual needs and will revolve around:
Teaching exercises that use as many muscles correctly as possible to strengthen them
Exercise to improve sitting and standing balance, promote daily tasks and independence
●Stretch to lengthen tight muscles.
●Exercise to enhance physical strength and reduce fatigue.
●Exercise to enhance functional ability
● Provide breath control and assisted coughing as appropriate to maintain chest patency.
● Hydrotherapy, relax muscles, improve walking
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Watch this to learn more about this syndrome
Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) 101 on YouTubej
