[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 93 (Friday, May 27, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E558]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING GBS AND CIDP AWARENESS MONTH

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                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 27, 2022

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the month of 
May as GBS CIDP Awareness Month and draw attention to the insidious 
nature of these terrible diseases.
  Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an inflammatory disorder of the 
peripheral nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. GBS is 
characterized by the rapid onset of numbness, weakness, and often 
paralysis of the legs, arms, breathing muscles, and face. Paralysis is 
ascending, meaning that it travels up the limbs from fingers and toes 
towards the torso. Loss of reflexes, such as the knee jerk, are usually 
found. Usually. a new case of GBS is admitted to ICU (Intensive Care) 
to monitor breathing and other body functions until the disease is 
stabilized. Plasma exchange (a blood ``cleansing'' procedure) and high 
dose intravenous immune globulins are often helpful to shorten the 
course of GBS. The acute phase of GBS typically varies in length from a 
few days to months. Patient care involves the coordinated efforts of a 
team such as a neurologist, physiatrist (rehabilitation physician), 
internist, family physician, physical therapist, occupational 
therapist, social worker, nurse, and psychologist or psychiatrist. 
Recovery may occur over six months to two years or longer. A 
particularly frustrating consequence of GBS is long-term recurrences of 
fatigue and/or exhaustion as well as abnormal sensations including pain 
and muscle aches.
  Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare 
disorder of the peripheral nerves characterized by gradually increasing 
weakness of the legs and, to a lesser extent, the arms. It is the 
gradual onset as well as the chronic nature of CIDP that differentiates 
it from GBS. Like GBS, CIDP is caused by damage to the covering of the 
nerves, called myelin. It can start at any age and in both genders. 
Weakness occurs over two or more months. Unlike GBS, CIDP is chronic, 
with symptoms constantly waxing and waning. Left untreated; 30 percent 
of CIDP patients will progress to wheelchair dependence. Early 
recognition and treatment can avoid a significant amount of disability. 
Post-treatment life depends on whether the disease was caught early 
enough to benefit from treatment options. The gradual onset of CIDP can 
delay diagnosis by several months or even years, resulting in 
significant nerve damage that may take several courses of treatment 
before benefits are seen. The chronic nature of CIDP differentiates 
long-term care from GBS patients. Adjustments inside the home may need 
to be made to facilitate a return to normal life.
  I call on my colleagues to join me in recognizing May as GBS CIDP 
Awareness Month. Together we can promote important scientific 
breakthroughs that improve the lives of individuals and families 
battling GBS, CIDP and MMN.

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