What is Guillain-Barré Syndrome?
In short, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare condition where your body's immune system, which is supposed to fight off germs, gets confused and starts attacking your nerves instead.
It's an autoimmune issue. Think of it this way:
You get a normal infection, like the flu or food poisoning.
Your immune system gears up to fight it.
After the infection is gone, the immune system doesn't stand down. It mistakenly identifies your own nerves as the enemy and attacks them.
How Does It Affect the Body?
The nerves are like electrical cables that carry signals between your brain and the rest of your body. GBS damages the protective coating around these cables (called the myelin sheath), disrupting the signals.
This typically starts with tingling and weakness in the feet and hands, then spreads upward. In severe cases, it can lead to complete paralysis. The muscles simply stop receiving the messages they need to move.
For some, like Martin, recovery is possible. But it takes months, sometimes years, of gruelling rehabilitation. And some effects may be permanent — lingering fatigue, nerve pain, and reduced sensation that serve as constant reminders of what the body endured.
Treatment & Recovery
There is no cure for GBS. Treatment focuses on reducing the severity of the immune attack and supporting the body through recovery. The two main treatments are:
IVIG
Intravenous immunoglobulin — donated antibodies that help neutralise the damaging antibodies.
Plasmapheresis
A blood filtering process to remove the harmful antibodies from the bloodstream.
Recovery then depends on intensive physiotherapy and sheer determination. This is why the research our partner charities fund is so vital — better understanding of GBS means better outcomes for future patients.
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If you, or someone close to you, has been diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), CIDP or any other Inflammatory Neuropathy, you are not alone. We are here to support.
For more personalised support, resources, and to connect with others who understand what you're going through, we highly recommend visiting the Inflammatory Neuropathies UK website.
Find Out More from Inflammatory Neuropathies UK →Key Facts
1-2
per 100,000 people affected each year
Any age
GBS can strike anyone at any time
No cure
Only treatment to manage the immune attack
20%
of patients left with significant disability
Supporting Research
Our ride raises funds for Inflammatory Neuropathies UK and GBS|CIDP España — organisations dedicated to supporting patients and funding research.
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