Guillain-Barre syndrome is an uncommon inflammatory disorder in which
your body's
immune
system
attacks your
nerves,
typically
causing
severe
weakness and
numbness
that usually
starts in
your
extremities
and quickly
worsens.
Eventually
your whole
body can
become
paralyzed,
even the
muscles used
for
breathing.
The exact
cause of
Guillain-Barre
syndrome is
unknown, but
it sometimes
is triggered
by a
respiratory
infection or
the stomach
flu.
Luckily,
this
potentially
deadly
disorder is
relatively
rare,
occurring
worldwide in
only one or
two people
per 100,000.
All age
groups can
be affected,
but it
occurs most
often in
young adults
and the
elderly.
In its
most severe
form,
Guillain-Barre
syndrome is
a medical
emergency
requiring
hospitalization.
About 30
percent of
the people
who have the
disorder
will
temporarily
need the
help of a
machine to
breathe.
There is
no cure for
the
disorder,
but several
treatments
can ease
symptoms and
reduce the
duration of
the illness.
Most people
recover
completely
from even
the most
severe cases
of
Guillain-Barre
syndrome.
I did
some medical
research for
this issue
and will be
talking to
this family
more and
getting them
to connect
with our US
REP staff
here to get
him
assistance.
They were
lucky and
have
insurance so
they had to
push ahead
with his
care and
needs.