Written By: Satata Karmakar | Published : December 9, 2020 6:31 PM IST
Covid-19 may trigger Guillain-Barre Syndrome: Home remedies you can try
Researchers have reported the first instance of Covid-19 triggering a recurrence of Guillain-Barre Syndrome - a rare disorder where the body's immune system attacks nerves and can lead to respiratory failure and death.
While there have been several reports of Guillain-Barre Syndrome following Covid-19, this is the first in which Covid-19 actually triggered a recurrence of the condition.
According to a case report, published in the journal Pathogens, a 54-year-old man who had suffered from Guillain-Barre Syndrome twice and had a third occurrence after testing positive for Covid-19.
"The patient came to the emergency room with complaints of progressive difficulty swallowing, then had a fever for three days, followed by weakness in the arms, legs, and face," said study researcher Erin McDonnell from the Rutgers University in the US.
"His symptoms were worse this time than in previous episodes. He has since recovered," McDonnell added.
The research team looked at about 1,200 hospital patients diagnosed with Covid-19 who were admitted and discharged between March and May of 2020 and this was the only instance where Covid-19 triggered the recurrence of Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome can follow acute viral and bacterial infections, causing symptoms including weakness and tingling in the extremities.
As the condition worsens, the weakness quickly spreads, eventually sometimes paralysing the whole body.
According to the researchers, while most people recover from the condition, about five per cent of people experience a recurrence.
The findings will improve the understanding of the spectrum of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which may be triggered by an acute viral or bacterial infection, and help create treatments for Covid-19 patients.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome is defined as a poly-neuropathy. In this, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves (nerves outside the brain and spinal cord). When this happens, the insulation around the nerves is destroyed. Sometimes this process is triggered by an infection.
In its most severe, Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a medical emergency needing hospitalisation to deal with the condition. However, you can also reduce the symptoms of Guillain-Barre Syndrome with some home remedies.
Yes, you can reduce the symptoms of GBS with a few tweaks in your diet and daily habits. Here are a few which can come in handy to deal with the syndrome and its symptoms.
Follow a diet that is rich in minerals, vitamins A, C, E & B complex, and food rich in fatty acids such as Omega 3s and Omega 6s.
Eat a lot of beans, legumes, fish, lean meat, plenty of fruits, and vegetables. Also, make sure to include foods in your diet that are rich in fiber. And, never have processed foods.
Citrus fruits such as oranges, grapes, and grapefruits are high in antioxidants which are essential to preserve the strength of the body and to boost immunity.
Include cinnamon in your daily diet chart. It has been proven for its worth in auto-immune diseases. It is an excellent antiviral, anti-bacterial, and anti-tumor agent.
Turmeric has potential anti-inflammatory agents like curcumin. Immune-boosting properties of turmeric alleviate fatigue and neural problems associated with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. It also helps in boosting your immunity.
