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Guillain-Barre syndrome causes, in addition to paralysis and respiratory failure, many general medical problems that have great bearing on outcome. The main features of daily care that require attention are: respiratory and urinary tract inf ections, gastrointestinal dysfunction, hyponatremia, pain control, and the potential for pulmonary embolism. Dysautonomic problems that arise specifically in the intensive care unit include: hyper- and hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias, and ileus. Through out the illness, certain psychological aberrations and communication problems must be addressed. The experience reviewed herein provides a practical approach to these problems. |
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