Clinical Assignment
Topic/ Disease: Please have at least five sentences/ points per category
Guillain-Barre syndrome
1.Effect of the disease on the body explained/ pathophysiology:
Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a rare illness where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks
the nerves. This immune attack harms the myelin sheath, the protective layer, and around the
nerves. When this layer is damaged, nerve signals slow down or stop, causing muscle weakness.
The weakness typically begins in the feet and legs and can move up to the upper body and arms.
In severe cases, it can affect breathing and heart functions, necessitating medical assistance.
2. Signs and Symptoms of the disease explained:
The first signs of Guillain Barre syndrome usually start with the patient feeling weak and tingly
in the legs. Then the weakness starts to move up to the arms and then the upper body. In serious
cases, it can make breathing muscles weak, and the patient then starts having difficulty
breathing. People might also have trouble walking steadily and moving their faces. Other
problems include pain at night, trouble controlling the bladder and bowels, a fast heart rate, and
difficulty talking, chewing, or swallowing.
3. Diagnostic testing explained:
Doctors usually begin with a physical exam and ask patients about the symptoms they are
experiencing. A common test is a lumbar puncture, where they check spinal fluid for signs of the
disease. Electromyography tests how the muscle’s electrical activity to see if there is any nerve
damage. Nerve conduction studies measure how fast signals move through the nerves in the
body. Blood tests help rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms as Guillain-Barre
Syndrome.
4. Treatments explained:
Plasmapheresis, or plasma exchange, takes out the bad antibodies in the blood that attack the
nerves. Intravenous immunoglobulin gives patients good antibodies from healthy donors to block
the harmful ones. Physical therapy helps keep the muscles strong and flexible during the
recovery period. In severe cases, a breathing machine may be needed if the patient’s breathing
muscles are weak and start having difficulty breathing. Managing pain and getting supportive
care are important throughout the treatment.
5. Medications used to treat:
Topic/ Disease: Please have at least five sentences/ points per category
Guillain-Barre syndrome
1.Effect of the disease on the body explained/ pathophysiology:
Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a rare illness where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks
the nerves. This immune attack harms the myelin sheath, the protective layer, and around the
nerves. When this layer is damaged, nerve signals slow down or stop, causing muscle weakness.
The weakness typically begins in the feet and legs and can move up to the upper body and arms.
In severe cases, it can affect breathing and heart functions, necessitating medical assistance.
2. Signs and Symptoms of the disease explained:
The first signs of Guillain Barre syndrome usually start with the patient feeling weak and tingly
in the legs. Then the weakness starts to move up to the arms and then the upper body. In serious
cases, it can make breathing muscles weak, and the patient then starts having difficulty
breathing. People might also have trouble walking steadily and moving their faces. Other
problems include pain at night, trouble controlling the bladder and bowels, a fast heart rate, and
difficulty talking, chewing, or swallowing.
3. Diagnostic testing explained:
Doctors usually begin with a physical exam and ask patients about the symptoms they are
experiencing. A common test is a lumbar puncture, where they check spinal fluid for signs of the
disease. Electromyography tests how the muscle’s electrical activity to see if there is any nerve
damage. Nerve conduction studies measure how fast signals move through the nerves in the
body. Blood tests help rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms as Guillain-Barre
Syndrome.
4. Treatments explained:
Plasmapheresis, or plasma exchange, takes out the bad antibodies in the blood that attack the
nerves. Intravenous immunoglobulin gives patients good antibodies from healthy donors to block
the harmful ones. Physical therapy helps keep the muscles strong and flexible during the
recovery period. In severe cases, a breathing machine may be needed if the patient’s breathing
muscles are weak and start having difficulty breathing. Managing pain and getting supportive
care are important throughout the treatment.
5. Medications used to treat:
