What Is GBS Disorder? Symptoms You Should Know

Pune has reported more than 100 cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), with one suspected death reported in Solapur, the Maharashtra government has confirmed.

Initial reports indicate that the deceased may have contracted the infection in Pune before travelling to Solapur. A total of 28 new GBS cases were reported, bringing the overall count to 101.

How Much Do We Know About GBS?

The neurological disorder is rare condition, with exact causes not known. Two-thirds of people have symptoms of an infection in the six weeks before Guillain-Barre symptoms begin. Infections can include a respiratory or a gastrointestinal infection, including Covid-19. Guillain-Barre also can be caused by the Zika virus.

GBS can cause numbness, weakness or paralysis. The first symptoms include weakness and tingling in the hands, feet. The sensations quickly spread and may lead to paralysis.

The most serious form of Guillain-Barre syndrome is a medical emergency. Most people with the condition need treatment in a hospital, according to Mayo Clinic.

Other symptoms may include unsteady walk or not being able to walk or climb stairs, trouble with facial movements, including speaking, chewing or swallowing, double vision or inability to move the eyes, severe pain that may feel achy, shooting or cramp-like and may be worse at night, trouble with bladder control or bowel function, rapid heart rate, low or high blood pressure and trouble breathing.

There Are Two Types Of GBS:

Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) is the most common form of GBS found in North America and Europe. The most common sign of AIDP is muscle weakness that starts in the lower part of the body and spreads upwards.

Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) in which paralysis starts in the eyes. MFS is also associated with an unsteady walk. MFS is less common in the US but more common in Asia.

Acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) and acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) are less common in the US. But AMAN and AMSAN are more frequent in China, Japan and Mexico.

What Are The Causes And Complications?

Although the exact cause of GBS is not known, but the disease usually appears days or weeks after a respiratory or digestive tract infection.

A senior medical officer from the Maharashtra health department told CNN-News18 Guillain-Barre Syndrome’s symptoms usually become prominent after a respiratory or digestive tract infection. He pointed out that a bacterial or viral infection, recent vaccination, surgery and neuropathy can trigger Guillain-Barre Syndrome. He has appealed to the people to not panic saying that even though GBS is a rare disease, it can be treated.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), infection with Campylobacter jejuni, which causes gastroenteritis, is one of the most common risk factors for GBS. Other triggers include viral infections such as cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and, in rare cases, vaccinations, Some of the GBS symptoms are triggered by campylobacter, a type of bacteria often found in undercooked poultry, influenza virus, Zika virus, Hepatitis A, B, C and E, HIV, Mycoplasma pneumonia, Covid-19 and surgery.

In the GBS, the body begins attacking the nerves instead of killing the organisms. In AIDP, the nerves’ protective covering, known as the myelin sheath, is damaged. This prevents nerves from transmitting signals to the brain, causing weakness, numbness or paralysis.

People infected with GBS may experience trouble in breathing. Up to 22% of people with Guillain-Barre syndrome need temporary help from a machine to breathe within the first week when they are hospitalised for treatment.

Most people with Guillain-Barre syndrome recover completely or have only minor, residual weakness, numbness or tingling. Blood pressure fluctuations and irregular heart rhythms are common side effects of Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Sluggish bowel function and urine retention may result from Guillain-Barre syndrome. People whose movements are less due to Guillain-Barre syndrome are at risk of developing blood clots.

People are advised to maintain proper hygiene, consume boiled water, and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as muscle weakness or difficulty breathing.

What Is The Situation In Pune?

The first suspected GBS case was hospitalised on January 9. Laboratory tests have detected the presence of Campylobacter jejuni bacteria in biological samples taken from hospitalised patients.

Of the confirmed cases, 16 patients are on ventilator support. An analysis of the cases indicates that 19 patients are below the age of nine, while 23 are within the 50-80 age bracket. The gender distribution reveals that 68 patients are male, and 33 are female.

While authorities are investigating potential sources of infection, water contamination cannot be ruled out as a major cause. Tests conducted on water samples have revealed high levels of E. coli bacteria in a well near Khadakwasla Dam, which is Pune’s primary water source. However, it remains uncertain whether the well was in use.

Health officials have surveyed 25,578 households in order to trace the source of the outbreak.

The GBS treatment requires immunoglobulin (IVIG) injection, which is priced at Rs 20,000. Patients often require multiple injections, which add up the financial burden. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar stated, “The treatment is expensive. After discussions with officials from the district administration and municipal corporation, we have decided to provide free treatment. Those from Pimpri-Chinchwad will be treated at YCM Hospital, while patients from Pune Municipal Corporation areas will receive treatment at Kamla Nehru Hospital. For citizens from rural areas, free treatment will be provided at Sassoon Hospital in Pune."

Maharashtra Health Minister Prakashrao Abitkar told CNN-News18 that he will be reaching Pune soon, and there is no need to panic. He mentioned that GBS had existed before and is not a communicable disease. “We are taking all measures to contain the surge," he said.

 

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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Caving-in on oral cancer

ral cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide with India contributing to one-third of the total burden. Every year, globally more than 3,50,000 new cases are diagnosed and 1,77,000 deaths occur, though with significant geographic and risk fact...

Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/sunday-herald/sunday-herald-melange/caving-in-on-oral-cancer-1087445.html

Oral cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide with India contributing to one-third of the total burden. Every year, globally more than 3,50,000 new cases are diagnosed and 1,77,000 deaths occur, though with significant geographic and risk factor variations. In India, every year around 1,36,000 new cases and about 57,000 deaths are reported. Oral cancer is the most common cancer in India, accounting for over 30% of all cancers. We are on the brink of an oral cancer epidemic.

A majority (60-80%) of oral cancer patients present at an advanced stage, which would have a significant impact on cure rates, important functions like chewing, swallowing, speech and breathing, the cosmesis, and lastly the increased costs of treatment.

Oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) contributes over 90% of all oral cancers and the term oral cancer is applied as synonymous with OSCC. Oral cancer commonly arises from potentially malignant lesions (earlier known as ‘pre-cancer’ or ‘pre-malignant’) such as oral submucous fibrosis, leukoplakia (whitish patch), erythroplakia (reddish patch), oral lichen planus (a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease), proliferative verrucous leukoplakia which is the commonest and are currently known as oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). The early detection and management of OPMDs are necessary to minimise or even eliminate the risk of transformation into oral cancer.

The oral cavity includes the lips, buccal mucosa, gums, oral tongue, the floor of the mouth, upper and lower jawbones, and hard palate — oral cancer or OPMDs can occur at any of these subsites.

The important causative factors for oral cancer are:

Tobacco consumption in any form: 

Smoked tobacco — beedis, cigarettes, hookah, cigars, E-cigarettes, smokeless/chewable tobacco — pan masala, gutkha, paan/betel quid, betel nut, khaini, mishri, mawa, kharra, zarda, snuff.

Alcohol use.

Poor oral hygiene.

Sharp tooth or an ill-fitting denture causing chronic irritation to the oral mucosa.

A diet low in fresh fruit and vegetable intake. About 85-90% of oral cancers are related to tobacco and alcohol use, which are the two most important risk factors. As per the Global Adult Tobacco Survey India (2009-10), 35% of the adult population in  the country consume tobacco in one form or the other.

Signs & symptoms of oral cancer/OPMDs:

White, or red patch in the mouth.

Persistent or non-healing sores or ulcers in the mouth for > 2-3 weeks.

Swellings or lumps on lips, gums, or other areas inside the mouth, and in the neck.

Unexplained numbness, loss of sensation, or pain in any area of face, mouth or neck.

Difficulty in chewing or swallowing.

Dentures not fitting or becoming uncomfortable.

Difficulty in moving the tongue or progressively decreased mouth opening.

Diagnosis: Oral cancer is detected by:

A proper physical examination of the mouth and neck regions to check for any suspicious changes in the oral cavity, and enlarged/significant lymph nodes in the neck.

A biopsy (incisional/punch) is the gold standard for diagnosing oral cancer. A tissue sample is taken from the most representative portion of the suspicious oral lesion and sent for histopathological examination.

Imaging — the commonly used imaging techniques are computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) CT scan. Once the disease extension and staging is confirmed, the patient is prepared for definitive curative-intent treatment.

Treatment: Surgery is the mainstay for curable oral cancer. It involves a few standard procedures.

Removal of cancerous growth and involved structures in the oral cavity with proper margins.\

Removal of the same side neck lymph nodes with a potential for harbouring disease.

An appropriate reconstructive procedure by using skin, muscle, or bone-in different combinations from other parts of the body to cover the defect and achieve better functional and aesthetic results.

Surgery alone would suffice in early-stage (Stage I & II) cancer treatment. But, for advanced stages (Stage III & IV), multi-disciplinary management involving upfront surgery, followed by either radiation or chemoradiation will be required as part of the curative treatment.

Post-treatment follow-up: The post-treatment surveillance of oral 

cancer patients by clinical assessment, baseline and annual imaging 

would aid in early detection of any recurrence or a new primary 

cancer (especially due to the field cancerisation changes seen in oral

cancer patients — prolonged exposure to carcinogens, usually 

tobacco, results in multifocal areas of precancerous changes at 

various rates within the entire field).

Routine surveillance can also facilitate multidisciplinary care 

involving a speech and swallowing therapist, dentist, physiotherapist,

 psycho-oncologist, and dietitian.

The post-treatment monitoring and follow-up would also help to 

detect and manage late complications if any.

By early diagnosis and proper treatment of oral cancer, the cure 

rates can be as high as 85-90%. It would also significantly lower the 

cost and improve the functional and cosmetic outcomes associated 

with treatment, thereby better quality of life for patients.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

 

 

 

 

 

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