Final answer:
Guillain-Barré syndrome is characterized by tingling and weakness that progress to muscle weakness, paralysis, and autonomic symptoms like heart rhythm changes. Severe cases may involve vision and breathing difficulties. Infections are common triggers initiating the autoimmune reaction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a serious health condition that affects the peripheral nervous system. The initial symptoms often include tingling and weakness in the extremities. As the condition progresses, individuals may experience muscle weakness, difficulty moving, and problems with coordination. One of the hallmarks of GBS is the rapid progression of muscle weakness that can escalate to paralysis.
Patients may also encounter autonomic symptoms such as changes in heart rhythm or blood pressure, often manifesting as dizziness, especially when standing. In more severe cases, people may suffer from double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, or breathing difficulties. If left untreated, these symptoms can increase in severity, leading to a medical emergency.
It's important to note other risks, including infections by microbes such as Campylobacter jejune, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, varicella-zoster virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Zika virus, which have been identified as potential triggers for the autoimmune reaction characteristic of GBS. These infections can lead to the body mistakenly attacking its own nerve cells, resulting in the symptoms described.