Guillain Barre Syndrome⚡Mnemonic⚡ : 100% Chance You Won’t Forget !

Causes of Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Mnemonic: CAMPFIRE

C – Campylobacter jejuni

A – Autoimmune response

M – Mycoplasma pneumoniae

P – Post-infection

F – Flu-like illness

I – Immune system dysregulation

R – Rarely, vaccinations

E – Epstein-Barr virus

Triggers for Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Mnemonic: TRIGGER

T – Trauma (rarely)

R – Respiratory infections

I – Immunization (rarely)

G – Gastrointestinal infection

G – Global travel (exposure to different pathogens)

E – Epstein-Barr virus

R – Recent surgery

Risk Factors For Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Mnemonic: RISKS

R – Recent illness (flu or gastroenteritis)

I – Immunization history

S – Surgery (recent)

K – Known autoimmune disorders

S – Sex (slightly more common in males)

Warning Signs of Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Mnemonic: WARNING

W – Weakness in legs that ascends to upper body

A – Absent or decreased reflexes

R – Respiratory distress

N – Numbness or tingling sensations

I – Inability to walk independently

N – Neuropathic pain

G – Gradual onset

Predisposing Factors of Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Mnemonic: PREDISPOSE

P – Previous respiratory or gastrointestinal infection

R – Rare genetic predisposition

E – Epstein-Barr virus

D – Diabetes mellitus

I – Immunodeficiency states

S – Surgery (recent)

P – Presence of autoimmune disorders

O – Older age

S – Sex (male)

E – Environmental factors (exposure to toxins)

Signs & Symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Mnemonic: SYMPTOMS

S – Symmetrical muscle weakness

Y – Yawning reflex (difficulty with reflexes)

M – Motor function loss

P – Paresthesia (tingling)

T – Trouble with eye muscles and vision

O – Orthostatic hypotension

M – Muscle pain

S – Sensory loss

Characteristic Findings In Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Mnemonic: CHARACTER

C – Cranial nerve involvement

H – Hyporeflexia or areflexia

A – Ascending paralysis

R – Respiratory compromise

A – Albuminocytological dissociation (high protein in CSF with normal cell count)

C – Cytoalbuminologic dissociation

T – Tachycardia

E – Electrophysiological changes (slowed nerve conduction)

R – Recovery usually complete

Clinical Features of Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Mnemonic: CLINICAL

C – Cranial nerve weakness

L – Loss of tendon reflexes

I – Incoordination

N – Nerve pain

I – Inability to walk

C – Constipation or urinary retention

A – Autonomic dysfunction

L – Limb weakness

Complications of Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Mnemonic: COMPLICATED

C – Cardiovascular instability

O – Ongoing need for ventilatory support

M – Muscle atrophy

P – Pressure ulcers

L – Limb contractures

I – Intensive care unit stay

C – Chronic pain

A – Autonomic neuropathy

T – Thromboembolism

E – Emotional distress

D – Deep vein thrombosis

Differential Diagnosis of Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Mnemonic: DIFFER

D – Demyelinating diseases (e.g., Multiple Sclerosis)

I – Infectious polyneuritis

F – Functional neurological disorder

F – Fibromyalgia

E – Electrolyte imbalances

R – Radiculopathy

What Should Be Avoided In Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Mnemonic: AVOID

A – Aggressive physical therapy in early paralysis

V – Vaccinations during acute phase (consult doctor)

O – Overexertion

I – Immunosuppressants without medical advice

D – Dehydration

Drugs Used To Treat Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Mnemonic: DRUGS

D – IVIG (Intravenous Immunoglobulins)

R – Rehabilitation therapies

U – Unfractionated or Low Molecular Weight Heparin (for DVT prophylaxis)

G – Glucocorticoids (controversial, less commonly used)

S – Supportive care (pain management, ventilatory support)

Drugs To Avoid In Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Mnemonic: RISK

R – Respiratory depressants

I – Immunosuppressants (unless prescribed)

S – Sedatives without respiratory monitoring

K – Known neurotoxic drugs

Radiological Features of Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Mnemonic: RADIO

R – Rare significant findings on MRI

A – Atrophy in chronic cases

D – Diffusion tensor imaging may show nerve damage

I – Increased signal in spinal roots on enhanced MRI (rare)

O – Often normal imaging

Diagnostic Tests for Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Mnemonic: TEST

T – Tendon reflex testing

E – Electromyography (EMG)

S – Spinal tap (lumbar puncture) for CSF analysis

T – Nerve conduction studies

Laboratory Findings In Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Mnemonic: LAB

L – Lumbar puncture showing albuminocytological dissociation

A – Anti-ganglioside antibodies (in some cases)

B – Basic metabolic panel to monitor overall health