Polyneuropathy including Guillain Barr Syndrome

Symptoms

Polyneuropathy refers to any illness that attacks numerous nerves in the body, sometimes causing weakness and/or pain. Although the nerve can be inflamed as in neuritis or painful as in neuralgia, polyneuropathy tends to be a systemic problem that affects more than one nerve group at a time.

Often, the same nerves are affected symmetrically, on both sides of the body, usually in the legs or the arms. Polyneuropathy also tends to be a slowly progressing, chronic type of disease. It often begins in the legs with tingling, numbness and an increased sensitivity to touch. Burning pains are typically worse at night. In more advanced cases, the skin tissue becomes unhealthy and shiny, and ulcers form.

Guillain-Barré syndrome is an unique type of polyneuropathy. It develops suddenly, causing weakness in the legs, later moving to include the arms and other muscles throughout the body. If the respiratory muscles are affected, the disease becomes life-threatening. Although the worst is over within weeks, convalescence can take months. Full recovery is common; however, some adults and children experience lasting weakness.

Causes

The cause of polyneuropathy is a systemic problem related to nutritional deficiencies, an overload of toxins or a symptom of another existing disease attacking the nervous system. Nutritional deficiencies in a number of the B vitamins, especially B1, B12 and folic acid, will cause polyneuropathy. These deficiencies are usually due to poor diet or digestive problems that hinder the absorption of nutrients. In other cases, long-term use of medications will lead to nutrient imbalances. Alcoholism will also deplete the B vitamins.

The nerves are highly sensitive to poisons, including alcohol, strong industrial chemicals and toxic heavy metals, and to certain medications. Polyneuropathy is often associated with other illnesses, for instance kidney disease, diabetes, Lyme disease and several autoimmune illnesses. Infectious agents, especially viruses, can cause this condition. Guillain-Barré syndrome is an autoimmune disorder, often triggered by vaccinations, surgery and infections.

Nutrition

Since the nerves are sensitive to toxic substances, it is best to eat foods free of pesticides whenever possible. For all types of nerve problems, the
B vitamins are in high demand by the body. Oatmeal porridge or Swiss muesli made with nuts and fruits and rolled oats soaked overnight will provide sources of B vitamins and are helpful in restoring the nerves. Along with nutritional yeast, whole grains, wheat germ, leafy, green, vegetables, eggs and fish. Use cold-pressed, unrefined flax seed or sunflower seed oil daily on salads, added to pasta and rice dishes, or stirred into plain yogurt or quark. Cold-pressed, unrefined nut and seed oils contain the essential fatty acids which the body converts into hormone-like substances called prosta-glandins, which are needed for many metabolic processes.

Nutritional Supplements

The B vitamins are in high demand whenever the nerves are diseased. Vitamin B12 is most essential for nerve problems but, since many people absorb it poorly, it is recommended to take the sublingual tablet for better assimilation. Essential fatty acids, especially the gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) found in evening primrose oil, are essential for nerve function. These have been used successfully in the treatment of
Guillain-Barré syndrome. All supplements need to be taken for several months for optimal effect.

Daily dosages:

Vitamin B complex, 100 mg three times daily

Vitamin B12, sublingual tablets, 100 mcg

Evening primrose oil, two 500 mg capsules three times daily or a combination oil, 1 tsp. daily

Herbal Remedies

Herbal remedies are excellent for calming the nerves and speeding recovery.

To support the kidneys in eliminating toxins, combine 1 tbsp. each of horsetail, stinging nettle leaves, knotgrass and St. John’s wort. Place 1 tsp. of this herb mixture into 1/2 cup of hot water; steep for ten minutes; strain and set aside liquid. Add another cup of hot water to the strained herb leaves, then boil for ten minutes. Strain and pour the two liquids together. Take for three weeks only. Sip 1/4 cup cold first thing in the morning, 1/4 cup just before lunch and 1/2 cup at night before going to sleep. Avoid all meat during this time. Allow intervals of three weeks between treatments.

To calm nerves, take 1 cup of St. John’s wort blossoms tea or 1 tbsp. of juice three times daily for a week.

Add rosemary, lavender or camomile to baths to soothe nerves.

Homeopathy

If Guillain-Barré syndrome causes paralysis that affects breathing, call 911. If the person has no difficulty breathing, follow the remedies below. Consult an experienced homeopath for recurring or persistent problems.

Take Thuja, 30c, every twelve hours for up to six doses if symptoms occur after a vaccination.

Take Aconite, 30c, every half hour, up to ten doses for an onset of symptoms after a viral infection.

Tissue Salts

See neuralgia.

External/Physical Therapies

For general nerve pain, a vinegar-water wash is very effective. Mix 1 cup of apple cider vinegar with 1 quart of water. Dip a soft cotton cloth in the vinegar water, and wring slightly. Start with right foot and wipe upwards towards the heart. Remoisten cloth as needed.

Other Suggestions

Heavy-metal testing should be performed to determine the source of toxic substances damaging the nerves. (For more information, see Appendix 1.)

Available Brand Name Products

Nutritional Supplements

Ascorbate/Non-acidic Vitamin C (Ester-C)

Flax Oil (Flora)

Flax-O-Mega 1000 mg (Flora)

Flax Seed Oil 1000 mg (Natural Factors)

Flax Seed Oil Liquid (Natural Factors)

Ultra Prim Evening Primrose Oil

(Natural Factors)

Wild Salmon Oil (Natural Factors)

Herbal Remedies

Horsetail Leaves (Flora)

St. John’s Wort Extract (Natural Factors)

Silica-Power (Nature’s Herbs)

St. John’s-Power (Nature’s Herbs)