Meningitis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment And Prognosis
The brain is one of the most important organs if not the most, of our entire organism, since it governs and controls the different processes and functions that allow us to stay alive and make us who we are. Fortunately, the brain is protected by various structures, such as the skull or a series of membranes called meninges.
However, sometimes alterations occur in these protective elements that can have serious consequences, as occurs in the case of meningitis.
The meninges are a series of three membranes located between the skull and the brain that perform numerous functions of great importance when it comes to protecting the brain and spinal cord.
These membranes called dura mater, arachnoid mater and pia mater form a barrier that cushions possible blows and trauma that could affect the integrity of the nervous system. They have various receptors that allow us to detect possible brain alterations, something that would not otherwise be possible because the brain itself does not have receptors of any kind.
In addition, they allow the generation of cerebrospinal fluid (specifically the choroid plexuses of the arachnoid) and its flow around the nervous system, thanks to which it is possible to excrete waste from brain functioning while helping to nourish and stabilize the neuronal environment.
Finally, the meninges also They serve to structure and shape the brain and so that the level of intracranial pressure remains stable.
Meningitis: what is it?
The meninges, in short, are an element of great importance when it comes to protecting and maintaining the health of the thinking organ. However, There are different problems that can lead to these membranes being damaged. and which in turn can cause damage to the nervous system. One of them is meningitis.
We understand by meningitis the process by which the meninges become inflamed due to infection this may be due to different causes. This also causes an alteration of the cerebrospinal fluid, which can affect the functioning of the brain beyond the mere pressure exerted on it. Brain pressure can increase greatly, while the balance of the environment in which neurons act is altered. Meningitis poses a high risk since it can affect the integrity of the nervous system, and even cause the death of those who suffer from it.
Symptoms
The symptoms of meningitis can be variable depending on how the inflammation is and what parts of the system it affects, but broadly speaking they can be found frequently. headaches, feeling of weakness and fatigue, decreased and even loss of consciousness. It is not uncommon for high fever, vomiting and dizziness to appear along with dehydration. Sometimes perceptual alterations such as hallucinations and delusions occur, as well as some motor symptoms such as tremors and even seizures.
meningitis They can be divided into acute, subacute or chronic depending on their evolution. Acute is understood as meningitis that evolves in less than twenty-four hours. Subacute are those in which a four occurs between one day to a week of evolution, and chronic ones are those whose effects manifest over four or more weeks.
Possible causes of this affectation
Meningitis can have a large number of causes, but in general they can be divided into viral and bacterial.
1. Bacterial meningitis
This type of meningitis is caused by an infection produced by the entry of certain bacteria into the body such as pneumococcus, streptococcus or meningococcus. This entry may be due to trauma, pneumonia, immune and/or metabolic problems or even due to the body’s own bacteria. They have a serious nature, especially when they occur in children, the elderly and people with various diseases.
Viral meningitis is caused by certain viruses. They are also known as aseptic meningitis since they do not usually reflect the entry of microorganisms into the system. They tend to be mild in nature, causing fevers, headaches and other symptoms that are generally not too intense.
However, There are special cases that have special risk and seriousness. A special case is that produced by the herpes virus, since it also tends to produce encephalitis or inflammation of the brain which can cause fatal or disabling changes in the patient’s brain.
Another virus that causes meningitis is HIV. which due to the weakening of the immune system can cause complications.
3. Non-infectious
Although they are usually due to infections, sometimes inflammation of the meninges may be due to other causes. For example, they can be produced as a reaction to certain drugs and psychotropic drugs, trauma, tumors and other diseases.
Treatment of this inflammation
The treatment of meningitis and its prognosis will depend largely on its etiology, that is, its causes. We must take into account the possibility that the bacteria and viruses that cause meningitis they can become infected so some caution is recommended with risk populations such as children under one year old or the elderly.
Fortunately, many of the bacteria that are capable of causing meningitis They have their vaccine, which is usually applied in childhood.
In cases of bacterial meningitis we are faced with a serious situation in which Immediate application of antibiotics is necessary. Due to the urgency of treatment, there is often no time to perform a culture and analysis of the bacteria, so medications are frequently used that attack most of the bacteria that usually cause this problem.
The prognosis will depend on the situation of each patient at the time of admission and whether they have received treatment in time, age, the state of the immune system and the type of bacteria that causes it. There is a risk of death, especially in children under one year of age and in the elderly. In some cases, even if they are cured, they may present consequences such as intellectual disability, epileptic seizures or loss of senses.
Regarding viral meningitis, as long as it does not cause inflammation of the nervous system as such, There is usually a complete cure without sequelae in many cases disappearing on their own. However, children, the elderly and people with autoimmune diseases or metabolic problems are at greater risk.
Regardless of what causes meningitis, it is also necessary to treat the symptoms that occur, such as when seizures appear or in the case of dehydration. Likewise, possible edema and increased pressure in the nervous system must be treated.
