Meningitis: causes, symptoms, treatment and prognosis

Inflammation of the membranes covering the brain can be fatal if not treated quickly.

The brain is one of the most important organsIt governs and controls the various processes and functions that keep us alive and make us what we are. Fortunately, the brain is protected by various structures, such as the skull or a series of membranes called meninges.

However, sometimes there are alterations in these protective elements that can have serious consequences, as it happens in the case of meningitis..

The meninges and their basic functions

The meninges are a series of three membranes located between the skull and the brain. and the brain that exert numerous functions of great importance in protecting the brain and spinal cord.

These membranes, called the dura mater, arachnoid and pia materThese membranes, called dura mater, arachnoid and pia mater, form a barrier that cushions possible shocks and trauma that could affect the integrity of the nervous system. They have several receptors that allow the detection of possible brain alterations, which would otherwise not be possible because the brain itself has no 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 residues of brain function while helping to nourish and stabilize the neuronal environment.

Finally, the meninges also serve to structure and also serve to structure and shape the brain and for the intracranial pressure level to remain stable.

Meningitis: what is it?

The meninges, in short, are a very important element in protecting and maintaining the health of the thinking organ. However, there are different problems that can lead to meningitis, there are different problems that can lead to damage to these membranes, which in turn can lead to damage and which in turn can cause damage to the nervous system. One of them is meningitis.

Meningitis is the process by which the meninges become inflamed. the meninges suffer an inflammation due to an infection.This can 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. The cerebral pressure can be greatly increased, while at the same time the equilibrium of the medium in the brain is disturbed. the equilibrium of the medium in which the neurons act is disturbed.. Meningitis poses a high risk because it can affect the integrity of the nervous system and even cause death.

Symptoms

The symptoms of meningitis can vary depending on the nature of the inflammation and which parts of the system are affected, but in general terms, the following symptoms can be frequently found headaches, a feeling of weakness and fatigue, decreased or even loss of consciousness. High fever, vomiting and dizziness together with dehydration are not uncommon. Perceptual disturbances such as hallucinations and delusions sometimes occur, as well as some motor symptoms such as tremors and even seizures.

Meningitis can be divided into acute, subacute or chronic depending on their evolution.. Acute meningitis is defined as meningitis that progresses in less than twenty-four hours. The subacute ones are those in which there is a four-day to one-week evolution, and the chronic ones are those whose effects are manifested over four or more weeks.

Possible causes of this affectation

Meningitis can have a large number of causes, but in general it can be divided into viral and bacterial.

1. Bacterial meningitis

This type of meningitis is caused by an infection caused by the entry of certain bacteria. produced by the entry of certain bacteria into the organism, such as pneumococcus, pneumococcus, pneumococcussuch as pneumococcus, streptococcus or meningococcus. Such entry may be due to trauma, pneumonia, immune and/or metabolic problems or even due to the body's own bacteria. They are especially serious when they occur in children, the elderly and people with various diseases.

2. Viral

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, causing fevers, headaches and other symptoms of generally not too much intensity.

However, there are special cases there are special cases of particular risk and severity.. A special case is that produced by the herpes virus, since it tends to produce encephalitis or inflammation of the brain which can cause fatal or incapacitating alterations 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 the inflammation of the meninges may be due to other causes. 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 largely depend on its etiology, i.e. its causes. It is necessary to take into account the possibility that the bacteria and viruses that cause meningitis may be transmitted to the patient. can become contagiousTherefore, caution should be exercised with at-risk populations such as children under one year of age or the elderly.

Fortunately, many of the bacteria that are capable of causing meningitis have their own vaccine, which is usually given to children under one year of age. have their vaccine, which is usually applied already in infancy..

In cases of bacterial meningitis we are faced with a serious situation in which the application of Antibiotics is necessary. the 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 drugs that attack most of the bacteria that usually cause this problem are often used.

Prognosis

The prognosis will depend on the situation of each patient at the time of admission and whether they have received timely treatment, age, the state of the immune system and the type of bacteria causing it, there is a risk of death especially in children under one year of age and in the elderly.. In some cases, even if cured, there may be sequelae such as intellectual disability, epileptic seizures or loss of senses.

As far as viral meningitis is concerned, as long as it does not cause inflammation of the nervous system as such, there is usually a complete cure and 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, c****omo when seizures occur or in the case of dehydration.. Similarly, possible edema and increased pressure in the nervous system should be treated.

Bibliographic references:

• Kandel, E.R.; Schwartz, J.H.; Jessell, T.M. (2001). Principles of Neuroscience. Madrid: McGraw Hill.

• Rosenberg, G.A.. (2016). Brain edema and disorders of cerebrospinal fluid circulation. In: Bradley, W.G.; Daroff, R.B.; Pomeroy, S.L.; Mazziotta, J.C.; Jankovic, J. (eds). Bradley: Neurology in Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Saunders; 88.

• Zweckberger, K.; Sakowitz, O.W.; Unterberg, A.W. et al. (2009). Intracranial pressure-volume relationship. Physiology and pathophysiology Anaesthesist. 58:392-7.