Here’s a complete explanation of GBS (Guillain-Barré Syndrome) — including reason, cause, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment 👇

 Here’s a complete explanation of GBS (Guillain-Barré Syndrome) — including reason, cause, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment 

What is GBS (Guillain-Barré Syndrome)?

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the peripheral nerves (the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord).
It causes muscle weakness, numbness, and paralysis that can progress rapidly.

Main Cause / Reason

GBS usually occurs after an infection.
The immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath (protective covering of nerves) due to molecular mimicry — the infection “tricks” the immune system into targeting nerves.

🔹 Common Triggers:

1. Viral infections

   • Influenza

   • Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

   • Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)

   • Zika virus

   • COVID-19

2. Bacterial infections

   • Campylobacter jejuni (from undercooked chicken — most common cause)

3. Other triggers

   • After surgery

   • Following vaccination (very rare)

Pathophysiology

1. Infection → activates immune system

2. Antibodies cross-react with nerve components

3. Causes inflammation and damage to the myelin or axon

4. Leads to slowed or blocked nerve signals → weakness, numbness, paralysis

Symptoms

Symptoms usually start within 1–3 weeks after infection and progress rapidly (hours to days):

Early Signs:

• Tingling or numbness in feet and hands

• Weakness starting in legs → moves upward (ascending paralysis)

Progression:

• Difficulty walking or climbing stairs

• Weakness in arms and face

• Trouble speaking, chewing, or swallowing

• Difficulty breathing (in severe cases)

• Loss of reflexes

Types of GBS

1. AIDP (Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy) — most common

2. AMAN (Acute Motor Axonal Neuropathy)

3. AMSAN (Acute Motor-Sensory Axonal Neuropathy)

4. Miller Fisher Syndrome — involves eye muscles, loss of reflexes, imbalance

Diagnosis (How to Detect GBS)

1. Clinical Examination

   • Progressive weakness on both sides

   • Loss of reflexes (areflexia)

2. Lumbar Puncture (CSF test):

   • High protein level

   • Normal white cell count (albuminocytologic dissociation)

3. Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) / EMG:

   • Shows slowed nerve conduction or blocked signals

4. MRI:

   • Sometimes shows nerve root enhancement (to rule out other causes)