May is International Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) Awareness Month.
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), discovered in 1916, is a rare (approx. 1 in 100,000 per year) neurological disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the nervous system by destroying the myelin sheath surrounding the nerves.
This impairs the ability of signals to travel to and from the brain, resulting in multiple symptoms throughout the body, such as vision issues, difficulty swallowing, lack of coordination, and prickling/burning sensations, etc.
The primary symptom is weakness, which varies in severity from mild to complete paralysis, where the individual is unable to breathe independently.
It can affect anyone of any age, and it usually develops after a viral or bacterial infection. In some very rare cases, it can develop within a few weeks after immunization.
Symptoms begin to appear in the lower part of the body, and work their way up to the head.
While there is no cure for Guillain-Barre Syndrome, there is help available.
The GDS/CIDP Foundation provides information, meetings, and other support for people battling GBS.
More information about the Foundation, can be found on their site,.
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