Meningitis is basically the inflammation or swelling of membranes called meninges. These are protective membranes that cover the spinal cord and brain. The primary reason behind the swelling of membranes is an infection in the fluid surrounding them. In this article, you will get to know about how to treat meningitis. But before going into the treatment, let’s discuss meningitis in detail.
There is fluid around these membranes known as the blood-brain barrier. This barrier protects the brain from contaminations in blood. It filters out all the contaminations can provide clean blood to brain cells. However, some infections can trigger the fluid. This infection can be viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal. In such cases, the fluid gets infected and causes inflammation to membranes.
Meningitis prevents the fluid and membranes from working properly. Because of not working properly, these brain barriers let the contaminations pass through. As a result, it can lead to damage of brain cells and, ultimately, death of the person. Thus, you need meningitis treatment as soon as possible to prevent any damage. Unfortunately, between ten to fifteen percent of meningitis cases are fatal. Moreover, approximately fifteen percent of the survivors can end up with organ damage and brain damage. Hence, it is wise to get it treated as soon as possible to avoid such side effects.
Causes, Types, and Symptoms of Meningitis and How to Treat Meningitis?
Causes of Meningitis
Several reasons can cause meningitis. The major reason is the direct spread of a severe infection. The infections causing meningitis can be an ear infection or even a sinus infection. Such kind of infections can lead to meningitis.
Furthermore, meningitis can also be caused by a reaction to some medications or medical treatment. For example, a few medicines might create an infection in the fluid surrounding your brain and cause the issue.
Another cause of meningitis can be lupus. In lupus, your immune system starts attacking your own body parts. It can attack your skin, kidneys, heart, joints, and brain. It can also attack the membranes protecting your brain and cause inflammation.
A few forms of cancer can also cause meningitis. It is one of the rare cases, but it can happen. In this type of meningitis, cancer cells spread from the tumor to the membranes and cause inflammation. Such meningitis is also called carcinomatous meningitis.
Another reason for meningitis can be a trauma or an injury to the head or back.
The major reason behind developing meningitis is the weak immune system. If your immune system is weak, you can develop meningitis from any of the causes mentioned above. You can even develop bacterial and viral meningitis through the direct spread from a patient.
Symptoms of Meningitis
The symptoms of meningitis start with severe headaches and severe pain in both eyes. After that, you will feel the stiffness of the neck and upper back. Sudden high fever and chills are also symptoms of meningitis. Another common and recognizable symptom of meningitis includes purple rash-like areas on the skin. These areas look like bruises. After exposure to the bacteria or virus, these are early signs of meningitis. These symptoms will start showing within a week.
Other symptoms that are less common and usually appear during the later stages include;
1. Rashes
2. Sensitivity to lighting
3. Nausea and vomiting
4. Tiredness and fatigue
5. Not being able to wakeup
6. Confusion (particularly in older age)
7. Coma
The symptoms mentioned above usually appear in adults. However, when it comes to children, they show different meningoencephalitis symptoms. They often display irritability, projectile vomiting, and difficulty with feeding. The signs also include high-pitched crying and rash-like areas on the skin.
Types of Meningitis
Let’s go through the types of meningitis just before getting on with how to treat meningitis. There are five major types of meningitis.
1. Viral meningitis
2. Bacterial meningitis
3. Fungal meningitis
4. Parasitic meningitis
5. Non-Infectious meningitis
Viral Meningitis – It is the most common form of meningitis. Meningitis virus or other viral diseases can cause this type of meningitis. If your immune system is strong, there are chances that you can get rid of this meningitis on your own. However, you should go for proper treatment done to avoid any complications.
Bacterial meningitis – It is not as common as viral, but it is the most severe one. It can be deadly and lead to far more complications. If you have developed bacterial meningitis, you should get immediate medical attention.
Fungal Meningitis – This type of meningitis is rare. But you can get it by inhaling fungi from the environment. If you already have any medical condition, such as cancer, diabetes or HIV, then it can attack you.
Parasitic Meningitis – Parasitic meningitis is also a less common type. However, a person with a weak immune system can develop this type of meningitis. Parasites in the body can attack the fluid or membranes, causing inflammation in membranes.
Non-Infectious Meningitis – This is the rarest type of meningitis. It can be caused by a head injury, drugs, medications, and medical treatments, like brain surgery. Furthermore, a few types of cancer and lupus can also cause meningitis that is known as non-infectious meningitis.
How to Treat Meningitis?
When it comes to how to treat meningitis, there are various options available for you. The primary treatment that you can get for meningitis is the use of antibiotics. Different antibiotics are available for you to treat meningitis. However, it is wise to visit a doctor instead of treating it by yourself.
Doctors will get to know about the type through symptoms such as meningitis rash, fever, and stiffness. After that, they will advise you on the most suitable medication or treatment for the infection.
Can Herbal Treatment Be Effective?
Herbal medicines offer treatments for a wide range of diseases. From Parkinsons disease to meningitis, herbal medicines have a cure for everything. All you need is a reliable and trusted herbal practitioner. They will provide you with the right herbs for your medical issue. Whether you have skin issues or have a severe disease like a heart problem, they will cure the root cause of the problem rather than just treating symptoms. Thus, if you are on the lookout for how to treat meningitis, then visit a herbal clinic.