SYNDROME DEFINITION • Guillain Barre syndrome is a rare disorder in which body's immune system attacks nerves and causes damage to the peripheral nerves.
• The nerve injury often causes muscle weakness,
cause paralysis and sensitivity problems, including pain, tingling or numbness. The demyelinating form of Guillain-Barre syndrome destroys the protective covering of the peripheral nerves (myelin sheath), preventing the nerves from transmitting signals to the brain. Types Once thought to be a single disorder, Guillain-Barre syndrome is now known to occur in several forms. The main types are: – Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) The most common sign of AIDP is muscle weakness that starts in the lower part of your body and spreads upward. – Miller Fisher Syndrome (MFS), in which paralysis starts in the eyes. MFS is also associated with unsteady gait. – Acute Motor Axonal Neuropathy (AMAN) and Acute Motor-sensory Axonal Neuropathy (AMSAN) ETIOLOGY • Bacterial infection • Viral infection • Protozoan infection • Surgeries • Blood Transfusion • Transplantation • Anesthesia • Preceding heat stroke • Preceding vaccination – Swine flu PATHOPHYSIOLOGY Infection with organism contain amino acid that mimic peripheral nerve myelin
Edema and inflammation of affected nerves.
Immune system fails to distinguish between foreign proteins and
nerve protein
Demyelination of peripheral nerves
Transmission of nerve impulses is stopped or slowed.
Flaccid paralysis with muscle denervation and atrophy.
Clinical Manifestations • Hyporeflexia and weakness progress and may result in quadriplegia. • Neuromuscular respiratory failure - demyelination of the nerves that innervate the diaphragm and inter costal muscles results. • Cranial Nerve deficit in (III- VII, IX- XII) with facial palsy. • Ptosis, diplopia, facial weakness, dysarthria, dysphagia with pooling of secretions. • Sensory dysfunction with abnormal proprioception, sensory ataxia can also occur. • Gloves and stocking paraesthesias with slight disturbances of sensibility. • Weakness spreads to the arms and upper body. • The weakness may increase until muscles cannot be used at all and may result in paralysis. • Inability to walk due to muscle weakness and paralysis. • Difficult to speaking, chewing and swallowing, various muscles required to form speech are weakened. DIAGNOSIS • Spinal tap (lumbar puncture). The fluid is tested for a type of change that commonly occurs in people who have Guillain-Barre syndrome. • Electromyography. The electrodes measure nerve activity in the muscles. • Nerve conduction studies. Electrodes are taped to the peripheral nerves. A small shock is passed through the nerve to measure the speed of nerve signals. • CSF analysis – elevated protein content upto 700 mg/dl. Normal- 15-45 mg/dl MANAGEMENT • Supportive care • Ventiltory support • Plasmapheresis (plasma exchange)– to remove abnormal antibodies • IV Immunoglobulin's – stop antibody damaging cells. • Immunomodulatory intravenous immunoglobulin – Muscle weakness – Respiratory depression NURSING MANAGEMENT • Autonomic dysfunction with orthostatic hypotension and tachycardia. • Check for previous history of viral illness or surgical procedure Urinary incontinence • Check for facial nerve paralysis. • Inspect the patient’s face at rest and during conversation. • Assess for any problems during talking, swallowing and chewing. • Assess for any change in the vital signs. • Maintaining respiratory function incentive spirometry and chest physiotherapy . • Mechanical ventilation • Close monitoring and suctioning • Enhancing physical mobility passive range-of- motion exercises are performed at least twice daily. • providing adequate nutrition IV fluids and parenteral nutrition . • monitors for the return of bowel sounds gastrostomy tube assesses the return of the gag reflex • Monitoring and managing potential complications Thorough assessment of respiratory function at regular intervals cardiac dysrhythmias, which necessitate ECG monitoring COMPLICATIONS • Complications can also include: – Lingering weakness, numbness, or other odd sensations even after recovery – Heart or blood pressure problems – Pain – Slow bowel or bladder function – Blood clots and bedsores due to paralysis