Miller Fisher Syndrome, Autoimmune Disease That Makes You Difficult, Smile and Easy to Fall

For most people, smiling, stepping foot, even blinking doesn't require much energy. You can do various basic body functions without thinking because they are regulated by good nerve and muscle coordination. However, this is not owned by a handful of people who experience Miller Fisher syndrome.

What is Miller Fisher syndrome?

The name Miller Fisher syndrome is derived from the name of the discoverer, Dr. C. Miller Fisher. Miller Fisher's Syndrome (MFS) or abbreviated Fisher's syndrome is one of the "children" of rare neurological disorders called Guillain-Barre syndrome. Both are autoimmune diseases that occur when the immune system actually turns to attack the healthy nervous system, not against foreign substances that cause disease. However, MFS is not as severe as the condition of Guillain-Barre syndrome.

The typical neurological disorders of Fisher's syndrome occur in the peripheral nervous system and usually develop rapidly in a matter of days. This syndrome is characterized by 3 main problems: the weakness of facial muscles (drooping eyelids and difficult expression), poor coordination and balance, and loss of reflexes.

What is the cause of Fisher's syndrome?

The causes of Fisher's syndrome are not fully understood but are often triggered by viral infections. Most often the flu virus or the virus that causes gastroenteritis (stomach flu). Symptoms of general flu, mono, diarrhea, or other diseases commonly reported appearing before MFS symptoms.

Some researchers suspect that antibodies produced by the body when fighting infection can cause damage to the myelin sheath which lines the peripheral nerves. The peripheral nervous system functions to connect the central nervous system to sensory organs, such as the eyes and ears, and to other organs such as muscles, blood vessels, and glands.

When myelin is damaged, the nerves cannot send sensory signals properly to get to the muscles of the body part you want to move. That's why muscle weakness is the main characteristic of this syndrome.

Even so, not everyone infected with the virus will automatically experience Fisher's syndrome. This syndrome is a very rare condition. In most cases, there is still no clear cause. It's just that, they suddenly showed symptoms of Miller Fisher.

Who is at risk of experiencing this neurological disorder?

Reported on the Healthline page, anyone can actually experience MFS, but some people are more prone to experience it.

The group of people vulnerable to Miller Fisher is:

• man. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association reports that men are twice as likely to experience Miller Fisher than women.
• Middle age. The average age of people who experience this syndrome is 43 years.
• East Asian race, especially Taiwan or Japan.

Some people may also get MFS after vaccination or surgery.

What are the symptoms of Miller Fisher syndrome?

Symptoms of MFS usually come fast. Symptoms of Miller Fisher syndrome generally begin to appear about one to four weeks after infection with the virus. The speed of the onset of symptoms is what distinguishes it from other gradual nerve disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or ALS.

MFS generally begins with weakness in the eye muscle that continues to the lower part of the body. Symptoms of Fisher's syndrome include:

• Loss and control of body movements, including weakness or uncontrolled movements.
• Loss of motion reflexes, especially in the knees and ankles.
• Blurred vision.
• Double vision.
• Weakened facial muscles, which are characterized by slumped drooping faces.
• Not able to smile, whistle, talk into lisp, difficulty keeping your eyes open.
• The body's balance and coordination deteriorate, so it has the potential to fall easily.
• Blurred vision or double vision.
• Difficulty urinating, in some cases.

Many people with MFS have difficulty walking straight or running very slowly. Some show a gaping style like a duck.

What are the treatment options for Miller Fisher syndrome?

There is no specific medication for Miller Fisher syndrome. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), there are two main treatment options for MFS. The first is an injection of immunoglobulin containing high doses of protein into the blood vessels. The goal is to strengthen the immune system against infection and speed recovery.

The alternative is a plasmapheresis procedure, a plasma exchange procedure to cleanse the blood. After cleansing, the blood cells are returned to the body. This procedure takes up to hours and is harder than immunoglobulin therapy. That's why most doctors will prioritize immunoglobulin injections compared with plasmapheresis.

In most cases, the treatment of Miller Fisher syndrome begins within 2-4 weeks from the onset of symptoms and continues for up to 6 months. Most people can immediately recover after completing therapy. However, some people can experience a lasting effect so symptoms can recur at any time, even though they rarely occur.

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