Guillan Barre Syndrome

Nowadays , a lot of research is being conducted in the use of Corticosteroid , immunoglobulins and Plasmapheresis in the treatment of GBS . Besides , rehabilitation therapy also seems to be effective in the long-term management of the patient . Corticosteroid therapy (helps to reduce the symptoms of the disease ) may not seem to manage the condition effectively alone , and this treatment has to be combined with other treatment measures (Griffin , 2000 , pp . 2193 NINDS 2007 . Plasmapheresis (or plasma exchange ) is usually performed along with administration of immunoglobulins in to improve the response to treatment

. The blood may consist of several immune-mediated substances that may bring about the symptoms of GBS , and through plasma therapy , these substances are effectively removed . Besides immunoglobulins are administered to ensure that the body has an effective mechanism to fight bacteria and viruses . These immunoglobulins help to fight any antibodies that could initiate the symptoms of GBS (Mayo , 2006 NINDS , 2007 . Besides , research also needs to be conducted in the field of physical therapy and hydrotherapy as these seem to be promising to rehabilitate the patient following an attack of GBS . Studies have shown that these therapies may seem to be effective in reducing the severity of several permanent disabilities such as muscle weakness and respiratory difficulties (Griffin , 2000 , pp 2193 . Studies have shown that when Plasmapheresis is conducted , it takes about 3 months for an individual to recover from an attack for GBS , and about 6 months in case it is not conducted . Recovery may occur in about eight out of ten patients (Cull , 1996 , pp . 1106 . The recover rate significantly varies , and about one in every ten individuals meets with fatal outcome (Cull , 1996 , pp . 1106 . Studies have shown that using Plasmapheresis along with immunoglobulins administration can treat recurrences

References

Cull , R . E , and Will , R . G...