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GUILLAIN-BARRE

Guillain-Barre syndrome is an autoimmune disorder (the body's immune system attacks itself). Exactly what triggers Guillain-Barre syndrome is unknown. The syndrome may occur at any age, but is most common in people of both sexes between ages 30 and 50.

It often follows a minor infection, such as a lung infection or gastrointestinal infection. Most of the time, signs of the original infection have disappeared before the symptoms of Guillain-Barre begin. It may also appear a few days or weeks after a surgery.

The swine flu vaccination in 1976 may have caused rare cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome. However, the swine flu and the regular flu vaccines used today have not resulted in more cases of the illness.

Guillain-Barre syndrome damages parts of nerves. This nerve damage causes tingling, muscle weakness, and paralysis. Guillain-Barre syndrome most often affects the nerve's covering (myelin sheath). Such damage is called demyelination, and it causes nerve signals to move more slowly. Damage to other parts of the nerve can cause the nerve to stop working altogether.

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CAUSES

-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)

SYMPTOMS

FOR MORE INFORMATION

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