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Guillain-Barrι syndrome
by Dr. Rajesh Shah
Guillain-Barrι syndrome
is an acute illness which is caused by inflammation of
peripheral nerves leading to loss of sensation, muscle
weakness and, in more serious cases, complete paralysis
and breathing difficulty. In almost eighty per cent of
children these symptoms follow a recent illness (usually
viral). This infection is thought to trigger a faulty
response in the immune system.
The disease varies in speed of onset with children
reaching their maximal disability over a matter of days
or, much more gradually over a period of up to four weeks.
Initial symptoms consist of tingling, numbness,
unsteadiness and progressive weakness usually affecting
the feet and then the hands and gradually progressing up
the limbs. At the height of their illness about a quarter
of children remain able to walk but the other three
quarters loose their mobility and about sixteen per cent
need to be artificially ventilated on an intensive care
unit.
The diagnosis of Guillain-Barrι syndrome is confirmed with
a combination of lumbar puncture, where a high protein
content is demonstrated in the cerebrospinal fluid and
nerve conduction studies, which show slowing of nerve
conduction in the nerve roots and/or peripheral nerves.
Recovery usually begins in two to three weeks and may be
accompanied by pain and tingling in the limbs. Most
children are able to walk unaided by six weeks and most
are free from symptoms by about three months. Minorities
of patients have some residual problems but these children
are usually still able to walk unaided. The condition can
occur at any age but there appear to be peak ages of onset
in childhood at four years and twelve years. In general
children make a much better recovery than adults.
In Guillain-Barrι syndrome the body's immune system
attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. Usually
Guillain-Barrι occurs a few days or weeks after the
patient has had symptoms of a respiratory or
gastrointestinal viral infection. The body's immune system
begins to attack the body itself, causing what is known as
an autoimmune disease.
Currently,
plasmapheresis and high-dose immunoglobulin therapy are
used. Plasmapheresis seems to reduce the severity and
duration of the Guillain-Barrι episode. In high-dose
immunoglobulin therapy, doctors give intravenous
injections of the proteins that in small quantities, the
immune system uses naturally to attack invading organism.
Axonal degeneration
occurs, and recovery depends on axonal regeneration. In
severe cases, recovery becomes much slower, and there is a
greater degree of residual damage. Recent studies on the
disease have demonstrated that approximately 80% of the
patients have myline loss, whereas, in the remaining
20%, there is axon loss.
Role of homeopathy:
It has been clinically observed that homeopathy helps
cases of GB Syndrome. It seems to help by correcting the
altered immune system. The medicines are very effective in
treating the residual symptoms of Guillain-Barrι syndrome.
Muscle weakness and power in the limbs can be corrected.
In the acute stage,
in cases of danger of respiratory paralysis, allopathic
medicines have an advantage, but for the residual neuro
muscular symptoms, Homoeopathic medicines are
highly effective.
Read a case
of
Guillain-Barrι syndrome |
