Your immune system fights off germs to prevent illness, but a faulty immune response can mistakenly attack healthy tissues. This is the case with Guillain-Barré syndrome, which causes a person’s immune system to damage nerves throughout the body.
Doctors are not entirely sure what causes this medical condition, but it usually occurs after an infection. Common triggers include:
The effects of this condition are often debilitating, and there is a risk of more serious complications, although they are rare. Most people make a full recovery from Guillain-Barré syndrome, provided that timely medical treatment is received.
While Guillain-Barré syndrome cannot be cured, treatments like plasma exchange and immunoglobulin therapy can prevent immune system antibodies from attacking the nerves.
When it comes to the health effects associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome, medication can be beneficial. Lack of mobility can lead to extended bed rest, which may cause dangerous blood clots to form. As a result, doctors may prescribe blood thinning medication to reduce this risk.
People with Guillain-Barré syndrome also experience a fair amount of pain, so doctors may opt to prescribe pain killers. These medications carry a few risks, including a chance of dependence, so it is important to take all pain killers according to your physician’s instructions.
Recovering from Guillain-Barre syndrome is often challenging, but most people make a complete or near-complete recovery. The health effects associated with this condition typically reach their peak over the course of a month, at which point the recovery process begins. Symptoms often include:
For some people, it may take up to three years to heal from the effects of Guillain-Barre syndrome. However, most people start to improve within six months to one year after the initial symptoms.