Causes Of Progressive Bulbar Palsy

Progressive bulbar palsy is a rare disease affecting motor neurons in the brainstem or medulla. This part of the brain and nerves are responsible for the most basic functions of the human body including swallowing, chewing, and speaking. A person with progressive bulbar palsy lacks strength in the jaw, tongue, and facial muscles. Swallowing food becomes challenging, and they lose the ability to speak. Other symptoms are a weakness in the limbs and uncontrollable incidents of laughing or crying. Any affliction that interferes with the cranial nerve nuclei can cause this disease. It is considered a type of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and there is no cure. Life expectancy is about two years. Get to know the common causes of progressive bulbar palsy now.

Toxins

Botulinum toxin, a product of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum), causes progressive bulbar palsy. C. botulinum is commonly found in the ground as spores, which can live in a hibernation-type mode through adverse conditions, coming 'back to life' when conditions are favorable. Humans contract the bacteria by eating improperly cooked or cleaned food. C. botulinum can also be contracted through an open wound. This bacterium releases botulinum toxin, a neurotoxin, that attacks the central nervous system. Other toxins that can cause progressive bulbar include venom from the bark scorpion and some snake venoms.

Get to know another potential cause of progressive bulbar palsy now.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Guillain-Barre syndrome is a disease in which the immune system attacks the nerves, and it usually starts with tingling or weakness in the feet. Other symptoms include unbalanced gait, fast heart rate, shortness of breath, bladder or bowel incontinence, and difficulty in moving facial muscles. Though the exact cause of Guillain-Barre syndrome is unknown, it usually presents after a digestive or respiratory infection. The protective covering of the nerve cells, or myelin, is damaged to the point where nerve cells cannot communicate. Though it appears to happen in short-lived spurts, paralysis can happen to the entire body. Progressive bulbar palsy has been identified as a variation of Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Learn about the next cause of progressive bulbar palsy now.