Condition Lookup
Category:
Peripheral Nerve Disorders
Number of Conditions: 2
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
Specialty: Neurology
Category: Peripheral Nerve Disorders
Symptoms:
weakness starting in the legs; tingling or numbness; difficulty walking; breathing problems in severe cases; loss of reflexes
Root Cause:
Immune-mediated attack on the peripheral nervous system, targeting the myelin sheath or axons.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, nerve conduction studies, electromyography (EMG), and lumbar puncture showing elevated protein in cerebrospinal fluid.
Treatment:
Plasmapheresis or IVIG to reduce the autoimmune attack and supportive care, including respiratory support if needed.
Medications:
IVIG (immune-modulating) or corticosteroids in specific subtypes.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, affecting 1-2 per 100,000 annually.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Recent respiratory or gastrointestinal infection (e.g., Campylobacter jejuni), vaccination, or surgery.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Recovery occurs in most cases over weeks to months; some may have residual weakness.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Respiratory failure, autonomic dysfunction, and long-term nerve damage.
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
Specialty: Neurology
Category: Peripheral Nerve Disorders
Symptoms:
progressive or relapsing muscle weakness; sensory changes; loss of reflexes; difficulty walking
Root Cause:
Chronic autoimmune attack on the peripheral nervous system, leading to demyelination and axonal damage.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Nerve conduction studies, EMG, lumbar puncture (elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein), and clinical history.
Treatment:
IVIG, plasmapheresis, corticosteroids, and long-term immunosuppressants for severe cases.
Medications:
IVIG, corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory), and rituximab or azathioprine (immunosuppressants).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, affecting approximately 1-9 per 100,000 people.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Male gender, older age, and history of immune dysfunction or infections.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Variable; early treatment can prevent progression and improve function, but relapses may occur.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Permanent nerve damage, chronic pain, and disability in untreated or severe cases.