Guillan-Barré Syndrome
Guillan-Barré syndrome (also known as Landry’s paralysis) is a polyneuropathy – a condition characterised by widespread dysfunction of the peripheral nerves. The condition is thought to be the result of an auto-immune response, where the immune system over reacts and attacks normal body tissue, following a viral infection or an allergy. The peripheral nerve tissue can be affected in two different ways due to Guillan-Barré syndrome. One way is when the conducting part of the nerve – called the nerve cell body and axon – is affected. The prognosis in this instance is poor and recovery may be slow or incomplete. The other way the nerve tissue is affected is when the insulating tissue around the nerve – the myelin sheath – is affected. In this type complete recovery is more likely to occur quickly.
Signs & Symptoms
Commonly, the patient experiences changes in sensation in the hands and feet. This can start as tingling and numbness, but quite quickly become painful. This is because the nerves which send sensory signals from the skin to the brain have been affected. Because the nerves which supply the muscles are also affected, muscle weakness and paralysis can occur in the arms, and especially the legs. The muscle weakness and loss of sensation make it difficult for the patient to co-ordinate movements and even walk. Because the nerves which control skin condition can be affected the skin may appear red, swollen and shiny.
Treatment
Although recovery can be slow, those with Guillan-Barré syndrome will usually make a full recovery. Physiotherapy treatment involves maintaining joint range of movement to prevent contractures and muscle shortening. Sometimes splints may be appropriate to maintain normal joint position. Once the nerve conduction is back to normal a progressive muscle strengthening programme can be started. As the patient begins to recover the physiotherapist can help the patient by facilitating normal movement and encouraging proprioceptive exercises in order to improve co-ordination.
Further information
The Guillain-Barré Syndrome Support Group >
Find out more about neurologic disorders from Bergen Neurology Consultants >
Recommended Products for Football Injuries
Ice Therapy
Insoles & Orthotics
Physio & First Aid Kits
Taping & Strapping
Warm Pants
Ankle Supports
Knee Supports
Blister Prevention
Massage Oil
Insoles & Orthotics
Physio & First Aid Kits
Taping & Strapping
Warm Pants
Ankle Supports
Knee Supports
Blister Prevention
Massage Oil
Ice Therapy
Instant Ice Pack
Our Price 1+ £1.99
6+ £1.19
12+ £0.99
24+ 
SAVE UP TO 60%! A mouldable pack that becomes an instant therapeutic ice pack, without the need for refrigeration....
Reusable Hot/Cold Gel Pack (Large)
Our Price 1+ £4.99
6+ £2.99
12+ £2.49
24+
SAVE UP TO 60%! Mouldable gel packs for use as either a therapeutic cold pack or hot pack - measures 25cm x 17cm...
Aircast Knee Cryo/Cuff with Cooler
Our Price
£139.99 £99.99
The ultimate knee ice therapy device; provides continuous cold and compression to minimise bleeding, swelling and pain. ...
Insoles & Orthotics
Spenco 3/4 Length Arch Cushion
Our Price
£15.99
3/4 length insoles with soft cushions for the arch of the foot, suitable for 'hard to fit' shoes. Provides less support than...
Sorbothane Full Strike
Our Price
£16.99 £14.99
SPECIAL OFFER Shock absorbing insoles that provide extra cushioning and shock absorption across the full surface...
Noene Atlas Carbon Insoles
Our Price
£24.99
BEST SELLER! A 'cutting edge' shock dissipating material with a unique carbon fibre arch re-enforcement. ...
Physio & First Aid Kits
PhysioRoom.com Sprains & Strains Repair Kit
Our Price
£14.94
Essential ice and compression kit to relieve pain. Designed to reduce swelling and speed up recovery following a sports injury,...
Vulkan Grab Bag (Full)
Our Price
£24.99
Small, compact, equipped medical bag. Treating acute sports injuries. Ideal for use in the clinic or to carry in the car. ...
PhysioRoom.com Physio Run On Bag (Equipped)
Our Price
£59.99 £39.99
SAVE 1/3! Designed by FA Premier League Physios - This is the best value sports first aid bag on the market....
Taping & Strapping
PhysioRoom.com 3.8cm Trainers Tape
Our Price 1+ £3.99
6+ £2.39
12+ £1.99
24+
SAVE UP TO 60%! PhysioRoom
.com Zinc Oxide Trainer's Tape has been developed by sports medicine experts. Its...
PhysioRoom.com 5cm Trainers Tape
Our Price 1+ £3.99
6+ £2.39
12+ £1.99
24+
SAVE UP TO 60%! PhysioRoom
.com Zinc Oxide Trainer's Tape has been developed by sports medicine experts. Its...
PhysioRoom.com Taping Starter Kit
Our Price
£20.94 £14.99
SAVE 28%!Perfect for all taping and strapping techniques. This Taping Starter Kit includes 7 rolls of 4...
Warm Pants
McDavid hDc Women's Compression Shorts
Our Price
£19.99
Pro Style Compression shorts for women - specially tailored for the female hips and pelvis....
Vulkan Warm Pants (1.5mm)
Our Price
£29.99
BEST SELLER!Thick neoprene compression shorts for treatment and prevention of groin, thigh and hamstring...
Coretection Coreshorts Pro
Our Price
£59.99
NEW!Compression shorts with patented 'Core Activation System' for treatment and prevention of groin,...
Ankle Supports
Mueller Soccer Ankle Support
Our Price
£14.99
Designed for football this lightweight and low cut ankle support fits perfectly in your football boot or trainer. Has criss-cross...
Mueller Soccer Ankle Brace
Our Price
£29.99
BUY 2 SAVE 10%Football ankle brace with a high cut front and narrow bottom - ideal for use in your football boot...
PhysioRoom.com Sprained Ankle Repair Kit
Our Price
£69.96
FREE KIT WORTH 14.94!Everything you need for sprained ankle rehabilitation, including resistance bands for ankle...
Knee Supports
Vulkan Silicon Knee Support
Our Price
£28.99
NEW!Silicon lined knee support for knee injury treatment and sports use. Provides warmth and extra...
Vulkan Stabilising Knee Support
Our Price
£44.99
BUY 2 SAVE 15%Improves knee stability during sports following cartilage, medial (inside) and lateral (outside)...
Donjoy Drytex Playmaker Knee Brace
Our Price
£174.99
FOR SPORT & REHAB!Superb sports and skiing hinged knee brace for ACL knee ligament injuries and cartilage tears. Has...
Blister Prevention
Compeed Blisters (medium)
Our Price
£4.99
Helps soothe and relieve the discomfort caused by blisters. ...
McDavid ReSkin A4 Patch
Our Price
£19.99
NEW!A4 sized patch (21x30cm) that can be cut to desired shape to protect against blisters, friction and...
Massage Oil
Vulkan Sports Balm (175ml)
Our Price
£4.99
Sports bag sized massage lotion for use before and after sport and for therapeutic massage in the treatment of muscle injuries....
Dr Warrier's Pain Relieving Massage Oil
Our Price
£9.99
USED BY THE PROS Our best selling massage product. A deep, warming blended herbal oil traditionally used to help...
PhysioRoom.com Massage Kit (Premier)
Our Price
£64.94 £49.99
SAVE 23%A collection of our best selling massage products, with a bit extra for the ultimate massage...
LEARN
Injury A to Z
Our Credentials
Information
& Expertise
You Can Trust
All medical information at PhysioRoom.com is provided by Chartered Physiotherapists, who specialise in sports medicine.
Safe Shopping
We use full 128-bit encryption technology to keep your order and payment details safe.
SHOP
Shopping Basket
0 Items
£0.00
Search Products
Browse Products
© Copyright PhysioRoom.com 2001-2008. All rights reserved. Sitemap.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE
The articles on this web site are provided for general information only and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or treatment. All exercises and information featured on this web site should only be practised under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
We accept most major credit/debits cards
PhysioRoom.com Limited, Unit 1 & 2 Dawson Court, Billington Road, Burnley, Lancashire BB11 5UB, England
- Sitemaps:
- Sitemap,
- Product Sitemap,
- XML Sitemap.
- Advertise on PhysioRoom.com:
- Download our Media Pack (230KB PDF File).
Anatomy Images
All figures marked © Martin Dunitz 2001 have been taken from Sports Injuries: Their Prevention and Treatment, 3rd Edition, by Lars Peterson and Per Renstrom, published by Martin Dunitz Ltd.
www.dunitz.co.uk
Sports Injury & Physiotherapy Search Marketing by Epiphany.
0.86
