Get to Know More About Guillain Barre Syndrome

Guillain Barre Syndrome, is a rare yet severe disease that commonly affect the peripheral nervous system. It is a group of autoimmune syndromes consisting of demyelinating and acute axonal degenerating forms of the disease (Newswanger, 2004). It means that Antibody can't barely differ the Antigen, which is supposed to be attacked, and our normal body cells.Therefore, Antibodies attack our cells, in GBS is in peripheral nervous system, and cause damages to the nerves itself. This is often happened after an acute infection.

Damaged myelin (nervous system) caused by autoimmune mechanism.

Gradually the patient will lose his reflexes and leading to complete body paralysis. Paralysis in lower limb and legs are commonly called rubbery legs or tingling and numbness in legs. Afterwards this syndrome travels in upper part of the limb (http://www.guillainbarresyndrome.net/).

In Indonesia , some cases of GBS were found and exposed by media telecommunications, for example is Safa Azalia in Agustus 2011. This 5-year-old girl was diagnosed Guillain Barre Syndrome for several months. And it's already costs hundreds millions of rupiahs to cover the treatment and the hospital. 

Safa Azalia, Guillain Barre Syndome Survival, 5 yrs old, Indonesia.

The treatment for Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) is supportive, it means the therapy can't cure the syndrome, but it's able to reduced the complications and the severity. Currently, plasma exchange (also known as plasmapheresis) and high-dose immunoglobulin therapy are used (http://www.about-guillain-barre.com/guillain_barre_treatment) . The treatment will be a long-time period and costs a lot of money. The proper and routine therapy may lessen its severity and improve the quality of life of the patients.