Symptoms of Guillain-Barre Syndrome

The signs and symptoms of Guillain-Barre syndrome are not very easily identified because they usually follow an infection and are often confused to be complications of the infection’s symptoms. With Guillain-Barre Syndrome, the symptoms usually become very severe in very little time. Though the weakness may increase over a period of days, most of the other symptoms grow progressively worse in a matter of mere hours. Muscle weakness and muscle wasting may occur in both left and right sides of the patients’ body. The muscle weakness and paralysis usually starts in the lower limbs and quickly spreads to the upper limbs. Patients first notice a tingling sensation in their feet and their hands. The tingling usually spreads to the legs and the arms. There is increased weakness in other parts of the body as well. Sometimes, the weakness reaches the diaphragm and the chest and in such a case, the person may require breathing assistance.

Some of the typical symptoms of Guillain-Barre Syndrome include:

Loss of reflexes and involuntary movements in the limbs.
Drastic changes in blood pressure. The blood pressure is either too high or too low.
Inability to use one’s muscles and paralysis.
Muscle wasting and weakness.
Tingling in the legs and arms. Such symptoms begin in the legs and move to the arms, but in many cases, a person may experience both tingling and weakness in both the legs and hands at the same time.
The tingling usually gets worse over a period of 24 to 72 hours.
Numbness in the feet and hands as well as in the legs and arms.
Changes in sensations and sensory feelings. The person may not be able to feel the sensation of touch in the legs, arms, hands and feet.
Muscular pain and tenderness which feels like severe cramping. The hands, feet, legs and arms are tender to touch.
Clumsiness and uncoordinated movements. The person may not be able to move properly and may fall often even if there are no obstacles.
Blurring of vision.
Weakness in the facial muscles. The person may find it difficult to smile, frown, grimace or otherwise use their facial muscles.
Involuntary contractions in the muscles that may seem like cramping.
Sensations of the heartbeats and heart palpitations.

In some cases, there are severe symptoms, which indicate a medical emergency:

Inability to breathe, the breathing may stop temporarily.
Inability to take deep breaths and the chest may hurt when such an attempt is made.
Difficulty swallowing due to weakness in chest muscles and diaphragm.
Excessive drooling and inability to control the salivation.
Dizziness and fainting. There could be a complete loss of consciousness.
Feeling light in the head, especially when you stand.

Causes

Diagnosis

References