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Guillain-Barré syndrome (pronounced Ghee-YAN Bah-RAY) is a condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves. The condition is typically triggered by an acute bacterial or viral infection. Symptoms start as weakness and tingling in the feet and legs that spread to the upper body. Paralysis can occur. Special blood treatments (plasma exchange and immunoglobulin therapy) can relieve symptoms.
Symptoms of Guillain-Barré syndrome:
Weakness/tingling spreading to both legs, arms & upper body
Tingling that turns to paralysis of muscles
Can last from as little as a few hours to a year
Can affect any person, but more common in men 50+
Treatment options include:
Plasma exchange
High dose immunoglobulin
The following Guillain-Barré syndrome resources included in this listing provides information from the national and local programs level that focus primarily on Guillain-Barré.
GBS/CIDP Foundation International is a global nonprofit organization supporting individuals and their families affected by Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), and related conditions through a commitment to support, education, research and advocacy.
https://www.gbs-cidp.org/
75 East Elm Street, Suite 101
Conshohocken, PA 19428
Phone:(866)224-3301
Center for Disease Control/CDC - Guillain-Barré syndrome CDC is the nation’s leading science-based, data-driven, service organization that protects the public’s health.
https://www.cdc.gov/campylobacter/guillain-barre.html
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation - What is Guillain-Barré syndrome? The mission of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is in curing spinal cord injury by advancing innovative research and improving quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis.
https://www.christopherreeve.org/living-with-paralysis/health/causes-of-paralysis/guillain-barre-syndrome
NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIH-NINDS) The mission of NINDS is to seek fundamental knowledge about the brain and nervous system and to use that knowledge to reduce the burden of neurological disease.
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/guillain-barre-syndrome?search-term=Guillain-Barr%C3%A9%20syndrome
NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders) NORD, a 501(c)(3) organization, is a patient advocacy organization dedicated to individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.
https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/guillain-barre-syndrome/
Caring for a Child with Guillain-Barré syndrome or CIDP - A publication of the GBS/CIDP Foundation International
http://www.gbs-cidp.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/CareForChild.pdf
This content is for informational purposes only and may not be comprehensive. Information contained does not imply an endorsement from Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and does not replace the advice of a qualified healthcare professional. See here for further details.
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