Guillain-Barré
Post-infectious nerve disorder
Guillain-Barré is a rare neurological disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the peripheral nerves, causing weakness, numbness, and sometimes paralysis.
It often follows an infection and typically progresses rapidly over days or weeks: He was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome after a bout of food poisoning.
Most patients recover, though some have lasting effects.
The full name is Guillain-Barré syndrome, after the French neurologists who described it.
Diffuse peripheral nerve dysfunction
- demyelinationNerve sheath degradation
- autoimmuneBody attacks itself
- nerve damageInjured neural tissue
- antibodiesProteins targeting pathogens
axonal · inflammatory · neuropathy · myelin sheath · motor neurons · sensory nerves · peripheral nerves · paresthesia
Deficiency in force
- numbnessLoss of sensation
- tinglingSlight stinging sensation
- paralysisLoss of muscle function
- difficulty walkingImpaired ambulation
facial droop · breathing difficulty · pain · fatigue · dysphagia · double vision · muscle aches · unsteadiness
Defensive blood protein
- ventilatorMechanical breathing apparatus
- rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
- physical therapyRehabilitative movement-based medical care
- ICUAcute care ward
respiratory support · intubation · anticoagulation · pain management · occupational therapy · speech therapy · monitoring · tracheostomy
Pathogen invasion causing illness
- gastroenteritisInflamed digestive tract illness
- respiratory illnessSickness affecting breathing organs
- virusMicroscopic infectious agent
- fluContagious respiratory illness
Zika · Epstein-Barr · cytomegalovirus · vaccination · surgery · COVID-19 · bacterial infection · viral illness
polyneuropathy
Diffuse peripheral nerve dysfunction
- demyelinationNerve sheath degradation
- autoimmuneBody attacks itself
- nerve damageInjured neural tissue
antibodies · axonal · inflammatory · neuropathy · myelin sheath · motor neurons · sensory nerves · peripheral nerves · paresthesia · cranial nerves
weakness
Deficiency in force
difficulty walking · facial droop · breathing difficulty · pain · fatigue · dysphagia · double vision · muscle aches · unsteadiness · sensory loss
immunoglobulin
Defensive blood protein
- ventilatorMechanical breathing apparatus
- rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
- physical therapyRehabilitative movement-based medical care
ICU · respiratory support · intubation · anticoagulation · pain management · occupational therapy · speech therapy · monitoring · tracheostomy · blood thinners
infection
Pathogen invasion causing illness
- gastroenteritisInflamed digestive tract illness
- respiratory illnessSickness affecting breathing organs
- virusMicroscopic infectious agent
flu · Zika · Epstein-Barr · cytomegalovirus · vaccination · surgery · COVID-19 · bacterial infection · viral illness · foodborne illness
chronic
Persisting over time
Guillain-Barrémultiple sclerosis
Autoimmune demyelinating neurological disease