1. Disease: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that mistakenly causes the immune system to attack the peripheral nervous system. GBS is an autoimmune disease that affects a person because the immune system usually begins as an attack on infection in the body, confusing some of the chemicals on the bacteria or viruses as nerve cells, leading the immune system to attack healthy nerves. Guillain-Barre damages both the myelin sheath and axons of the peripheral nerves, causing the nerves to be unable to transmit signals and muscles to stop responding to the brain’s messages, causing weakness. Most cases begin a few days or weeks after a recent respiratory or gastrointestinal viral infection. In some rare cases, vaccinations may increase the risk of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. GBS can affect anyone at any age, although it is more frequent in adults. This disease is not genetic and is not contagious. The exact cause is unknown. GBS cases can range in severity from very mild with brief weakness to possible paralysis, where you cannot breathe independently. However, in even the most severe cases, most people eventually recover, but some will continue to experience some weakness. GBS can start and intensify over hours, days, or weeks until the muscles in the body stop working altogether, and the person is almost completely paralyzed. These cases are the most severe and life-threatening to the patient. The paralysis interferes with their ability to breathe independently and causes blood pressure and heart rate abnormalities. The most common symptom of GBS is weakness. As noted, this may start suddenly and progress within hours or slowly. Patients may often feel this weakness in the upper extremities, muscles used for breathing, which, when progressed, can cause the patient to need a breathing machine for assistance. Sensation changes are another symptom due to the connection between your brain and body and the abnormal signals due to nerve damage. Other symptoms are difficulty with eye muscles and vision, difficulty speaking, chewing, and swallowing, pain that can be severe, problems with digestion and bladder control, and abnormal heart rate or blood pressure. Guillain-Barre syndrome affects the nervous system. It also affects the respiratory system by weakening the muscles used for breathing, leading to decreased heart function. It is vital to keep oxygenated blood circulating through the body. In the cardiovascular system, blood pressure and heart rate can become abnormal due to the strain on the heart. GBS also causes issues with the digestive system due to nerve damage to the organs that contract to move food and other wastes through the body properly. (NIH, 2018)
There is no known cure for Guillain-Barre syndrome. However, treatment options are available to lessen the severity of the illness and shorten the recovery time. If you are diagnosed with GBS, you will be admitted to the hospital for treatment. Two treatment options that have been found most effective are plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. Anti-inflammatory steroid hormones have also been used. Physical and occupational therapy, as well as supportive care, continues throughout treatment as well as recovery. Depending on the severity of weaknesses in the muscles, a patient may have to continue with PT/OT for an extended period to strengthen and regain the function of specific muscles. (NIH, 2018)
“You have many workers: stonecutters, masons, and carpenters, as well as those skilled in every kind of work.� 1 Chronicles 22:15 (Life. Church, NIV. 2019) Science continues to advance, leading researchers to find greater understandings of existing and new treatments. As we are reminded throughout the Bible, as we see in this verse, God works through us to change the lives of others by giving us each a skillful purpose, whether we use it individually or as a team.
References
Life. Church. (2019, February 12). Bible. App Store. Retrieved February 17, 2023, from https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bible/id28293570
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2018, August). Guillain-Barré syndrome. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Retrieved February 20, 2023, from https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/guillain-barre-syndrome#
2. Disease: Hashimoto’s Disease
Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease that causes an underactive thyroid, also known as Hypothyroidism, where the thyroid produces little to no hormones. In an individual with this disease, the thyroid is attacked by antibodies made by their body’s own immune system. As a result, white blood cells congregate in the thyroid gland, damaging it, so that it is no longer able to produce sufficient amounts of thyroid hormones. Because the thyroid manages how in energy is used and distributes within the body, almost every organ system is affected by this disease. For example, the metabolism and digestive system are affected by a slowed metabolism, constipation, heartburn, and stomach bloating. Additionally, the reproductive system can be affected as women with Hashimoto’s/Hypothyroidism can have disrupted menstrual cycles, as well as fertility issues when trying to get pregnant. Another system impacted is the cardiovascular system as irregular heartbeats, decreased heart rates, high blood pressure, and bad cholesterol can all be results. Some of the most common symptoms of Hashimoto’s are cold intolerance, constipation, fatigue, hair loss, slowed heart rate, irregularity in menstruation and fertility, dry skin, weight gain, and pain in the muscles and joints.
While there is no cure for Hashimoto’s, the disease can be treated and managed. If the thyroid has endured enough damage to develop hypothyroidism, then doctors typically will treat it by prescribing a medication, levothyroxine, that is essentially a replica of one of the natural hormones the thyroid produces (T4). Following this prescription, doctors will monitor an individual’s thyroid hormone levels every 6-8 weeks through blood tests. Because hormones are everchanging, depending on the blood tests, dosages of levothyroxine may be changed and adjusted according to levels and symptoms that the patient is experiencing. Another crucial way to combat Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism is through nutrition. Foods such as gluten and dairy generally produce an inflammatory response in the body. Because the thyroid is already inflamed, eliminating these types of foods from ones diet can result in significant reduction of inflammation throughout the body as well as in the thyroid gland. Additionally, maintaining a well balanced, nutrient dense diet with very little sugar is instrumental in seeing improvement in symptoms of Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism. Some people have even gotten entirely off of their prescribed thyroid medication solely through nutrition and lifestyle changes, though it is not as common.
As we are fallen people corrupted by sin, suffering and disease exists in this world. However, God did not leave us here with no hope for healing. Just as he gifted people with spiritual gifts such as evangelism, serving, leadership, teaching, mercy, etc. he has also gifted people with knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge and wisdom can come in many forms but I believe that scientists are some of the people gifted by God to understand diseases, overall health, and various physiological problems to help heal those who are hurting and suffering. Scientists are certainly not perfect, neither are we, but their gifts of knowledge are used by God as a vessel to illustrate his redemptive work. Miracles and healing show God’s love for us and his desire for us to know that we are not alone in our suffering at the hands of the things of this world.
References:
“Hashimoto’s Disease.â€� National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-dis… to an external site..
“Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.â€� American Thyroid Association, www.thyroid.org/hashimotos-thyroiditis/