Guillain-Barré syndrome (patient information)

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What is Guillain-Barr syndrome?

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a serious disorder that occurs when the body's defense (immune) system mistakenly attacks part of the nervous system. This leads to nerve inflammation that causes muscle weakness.

What are the symptoms of Guillain-Barré syndrome?

Symptoms of Guillain-Barré can get worse very quickly. It may take only a few hours to reach the most severe symptoms, but weakness increasing 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 there is weakness in those muscles, the person may need breathing assistance.

Typical symptoms include:

• Loss of reflexes in the arms and legs
• Muscle weakness or loss of muscle function (paralysis)
  • In mild cases, there may be no weakness or 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, decreased sensation
• Sensation changes
• Tenderness or muscle pain (may be a cramp-like pain)
• Uncoordinated movement

Additional symptoms may include:

• Blurred vision
• Clumsiness and falling
• Difficulty moving face muscles
• Muscle contractions
• Palpitations (sensation of feeling heartbeat)

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

Where to find medical care for Guillain-Barré syndrome

Directions to Hospitals Treating Guillain-Barré syndrome