Polio is a scourge of the disease because it can cause
paralysis, difficulty breathing and even death. But after the polio era is
over, now a rare disease Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is the most common cause
of paralysis.
"GBS causes a major after a period of polio paralysis
(paralysis withered)," explained Dr. Manfalutfy Judge, Sp.S (K), of
Division of Clinical Neurophysiology and Neuromuscular Disease, Department of
Neurology Faculty of Medicine, RSCM, in the event Press Conference 'To take
care of Disease Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) and Myasthenia Gravis (MG), at
the Hotel Mulia Jakarta, Friday (4/13/2012).
Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an immunological disorder
that causes abnormalities of the peripheral nerves, causing paralysis of the
extremities is ascending and symmetrical.
GBS disease is a rare autoimmune disease, meaning the body's
antibodies are supposed to protect the body against foreign substances like
viruses, it attacks the body's own cells.
Biggest risk of GBS can be life threatening because it
causes paralysis of respiratory muscles, so patients must use a ventilator,
pulmonary infections and sepsis caused by long immobilization.
"The symptoms are similar to polio, the tingling in the
tips of your toes or hands. But if polio occurred in one side of the body,
right or left alone. But if GBS occurred symmetrically, on both sides, right
and left," explained Dr Manfalutfy .
Having tingling in both ends of the arm or leg, continued
Dr. Manfalutfy, the attack will go up until the end in 1 or 2 week intervals
may cause difficulty walking and paralysis.
"The sooner the distance between numbness and
paralysis, the more severe the disability caused. Means that the damaged nerve
is heavier and stronger antibody," said Dr. Manfalutfy.
Usually before the tingling on both sides of the body
occurs, patients will experience diarrhea or an infection such as strep throat.
"So be aware if you experience tingling in the feet or
hands, and remembered a few weeks earlier had diarrhea, immediately consult a
doctor should not be delayed. As more quickly addressed, the chances of
disability caused by GBS will be smaller," concludes Dr. . Manfalutfy.