Acute Inflammatory Polyneuropathy

It is advisable to seek care without delay when weakness that advances rapidly in the legs and spreads upward appears, as it could be acute inflammatory polyneuropathy. This is a condition in which the immune system suddenly damages the peripheral nerves.

How it presents: It usually starts with tingling and weakness in the legs that progresses over days, sometimes after a preceding infection; it can affect the strength of the arms and other muscles.

What causes it? It is associated with an immune response that attacks the covering of the nerves.

Who treats it? The neurologist, or the pediatric neurologist when it affects children, is the right professional. Because it can progress quickly, in the case of ascending weakness, the prudent thing is to seek urgent evaluation.