Former Washington Redskins quarterback Danny Wuerffel has been diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, reports ABC News. The rare autoimmune disorder causes paralysis. Wuerffel was struck by a stomach virus at the beginning of June, and he later began to experience a loss of sensation in his legs. The athlete also complained of weakness in his arms.
Doctors believe that the Guillain-Barré syndrome caused Wuerffel's immune system to attack the nerves that aid motion.
"He's hanging in there," says his wife Jessica, with whom he has 3 young children. She says her husband has lost about half of his strength. "It's a distressing situation but, to be honest, his faith is strong."
Most people who experience Guillain-Barré are at their weakest point about two weeks to a month after they contract a virus. In severe cases, the loss of strength and motion can impact a person's lungs and digestive system, making ventilators and feeding tubes necessary.
Doctors believe that the Guillain-Barré syndrome caused Wuerffel's immune system to attack the nerves that aid motion.
"He's hanging in there," says his wife Jessica, with whom he has 3 young children. She says her husband has lost about half of his strength. "It's a distressing situation but, to be honest, his faith is strong."
Most people who experience Guillain-Barré are at their weakest point about two weeks to a month after they contract a virus. In severe cases, the loss of strength and motion can impact a person's lungs and digestive system, making ventilators and feeding tubes necessary.
- 6/16/2011
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
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