Search Tools: Web | News | Images | Forums | MedPro | Shop


 

 

Conditions & Diseases: Brain & Nervous System

Guillain Barré Syndrome

See Also:
Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Introduction
Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Types
Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Causes & Risk Factors
Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Signs & Symptoms
Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods
Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Treatment

Causes & Risk Factors

The exact causes of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) are not known. It is neither contagious nor hereditary (4).

A viral or bacterial infection causes allergic reaction which damages the protective sheath around the peripheral nerves (demyelination) leading to cessation of signal passage to muscles, which causes tingling, weakness and eventual short-term paralysis (1).

Generally, a viral or bacterial infection precedes the onset of GBS. The infections are as follows:

  • Flu and Common cold

  • Gastrointestinal viral infection

  • Infectious mononucleosis

  • Viral hepatitis

  • Campylobacteriosis (usually from eating undercooked poultry)

  • Porphyria (rare disease of red blood cells) (4).

  • Bacterial infections (such as salmonella poisoning)

  • Hodgkin's disease, (tumor of the lymph glands - the small, bean-sized organs that carry white blood cells)

  • Immunization (such as the influenza vaccine) in very rare cases (1).

See Also:
Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Introduction
Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Types
Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Causes & Risk Factors
Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Signs & Symptoms
Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods
Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Treatment

Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
OmniMedicalSearch.com

 

Feedback | Conditions & Diseases | Dr. Directories | Toolbar
Add OmniMedicalSearch.com To Your Favorite's Folder

Copyright © OmniMedicalSearch.com

OmniMedicalSearch does not provide medical or any other health care advice, diagnosis or treatment. The site and its services, including the information above, are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information on this site. Medical information changes rapidly and while OmniMedicalSearch.com and its content providers make efforts to update the content on the site, some information may be out of date and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor.

 

Page Last Modified:
11 /19/2007