Symptoms of Guillain-Barre syndrome
What are the typical symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome?
The first symptoms of GBS include varying degrees of weakness or tingling sensations in the legs. The weakness and abnormal sensations may spread to the arms and upper body. These symptoms can increase in intensity until certain muscles cannot be used at all and, when severe, the affected person is almost totally paralyzed. In these cases the disorder is life threatening - potentially interfering with breathing and, at times, with blood pressure or heart rate - and is considered a medical emergency. Bladder dysfunction and constipation may occur.
After the first clinical manifestations of GBS, the symptoms can progress over the course of hours, days, or weeks. Most people reach the stage of greatest weakness within the first two weeks after symptoms appear, and by the third week of the illness 90% of affected individuals are at their weakest.
Persons with GBS are often hospitalized and closely monitored while diagnostic tests are performed. Although both sides of the body are reported to have symmetrical involvement, a lack of symmetry of clinical and electrophysiological findings has been reported (Logullo et al., 2006).
In contrast to the relatively uniform speed of recovery among those with AIDP, two patterns of recovery are found with AMAN. Some individuals recover quickly within days and others experience slow and poor recovery. AMSAN tends to be associated with severe illness and slow recovery. The prognosis for MFS is generally good.
What are the serious and long-term risks of Guillain-Barré Syndrome?
GBS can be a devastating disorder because of its sudden and unexpected onset. In addition, recovery is not necessarily quick. As noted above, affected persons usually reach the point of greatest weakness or paralysis days or weeks after the first symptoms occur. Symptoms then stabilize at this level for a period of days, weeks, or, sometimes, months. The recovery period may be as little as a few weeks or as long as a few years. About 30% of those with GBS still have residual weakness after three years. About 3% may suffer a relapse of muscle weakness and tingling sensations many years after the initial attack. Those affected by GBS face not only physical difficulties, but emotionally painful periods as well. It is often extremely difficult for patients to adjust to sudden paralysis and dependence on others for help with routine daily activities. Patients sometimes need psychological counseling to help them adapt.