Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Guillain-Barre is an auto-immune disease, in which the immune system attacks the nervous system and causes demyelination, which causes nerve signals to travel a lot more slowly. This syndrome often follows mild infections when they occur. Some infections that may cause Guillain-Barre are HIV, herpes simplex, and mononucleosis. Taken directly from NCBI
Symptoms
Symptoms of Guillain-Barre can get worse very quickly. It may take only a few hours to reach the most severe symptoms, but weakness that increases over several days is also common.
Muscle weakness or the loss of muscle function (paralysis) affects both sides of the body. In most cases, the muscle weakness starts in the legs and then spreads to the arms. This is called ascending paralysis.
Patients may notice tingling, foot or hand pain, and clumsiness. If the inflammation affects the nerves to the diaphragm and chest and there is weakness in those muscles, the person may need breathing assistance.
Typical symptoms include:
Loss of reflexes in the arms and legs
Low blood pressure or poor blood pressure control
Muscle weakness or loss of muscle function (paralysis)
In mild cases, there may be weakness instead of paralysis
May begin in the arms and legs at the same time
May get worse over 24 to 72 hours
May occur in the nerves of the head only
May start in the arms and move downward
May start in the feet and legs and move up to the arms and head
Numbness
Sensation changes, including pain and tingling
Tenderness or muscle pain (may be a cramp-like pain)
Uncoordinated movement (cannot walk without help)
Other symptoms may include:
Blurred vision and double vision
Clumsiness and falling
Difficulty moving face muscles
Muscle contractions
Palpitations (sensation of feeling the heart beat)
Emergency symptoms (seek immediate medical help):
Breathing temporarily stops
Can't take a deep breath
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty swallowing
Drooling
Fainting
Feeling light-headed when standing
