Guillain-Barré syndrome

Guillain–Barré syndrome is a rapid-onset muscle weakness caused by the immune system damaging the peripheral nervous system. Typically, both sides of the body are involved, and the initial symptoms... Wikipedia

• Pronunciation:  fr
• Specialty:  Neurology
• Symptoms:  Muscle weakness beginning in the feet and hands, usually ascending
• Usual onset:  Rapid (hours to weeks)
• Causes:  Typically triggered by an infection, occasionally by surgery
• Diagnostic method:  Based on symptoms, nerve conduction studies, lumbar puncture
• Treatment:  Supportive care, intravenous immunoglobulin, plasmapheresis
• Frequency:  2 per 100,000 people per year
• Deaths:  7.5% of those affected
• Data source:  DuckDuckGo