MENINGITIS

Hello Readers, 
Hope you all are enjoying blogs on medical knowledge..

In this blog,I would like to discuss about what is MENINGES  and what is MENINGITIS...

                   MENINGES 

The meninges are type of tissue (connective tissue) which covers brain and spinal chord.
There are layer of meninges from outer to inner named DURAMATER,ARACHNOID MATER, PIAMATER respectively. 

The Duramater is dense ,tough tissue that is exactly known as periosteom of skull. 

The Arachnoid mater is a network of loose connective tissue that lacks of blood vessels. 

The Piamater is closely attached to arachnoid mater which is innermost layer contains of blood vessels. 

FUNCTION OF MENINGES 

- Protect nervous system of body 
- Production of Cerebrospinal fluid 
Cerebrospinal fluid protects CNS tissue by acting as shock absorber by circulating nutrients and by getting rid off the waste products. 


                 MENINGITIS 

It's an inflammation of meninges which is around brain and spinal cord, can be infectious or non infectious. 

CAUSES OF MENINGITIS 

Infections due to Bacteria, viruses and fungus

Non infectious cause are autoimmune disorders, cancer, syphilis,Tuberculosis, skip vaccination. In all these conditions immune system is compromised. There are many more conditions like spleen removal or damage or sometimes migration to countries where it is more prevalent like Africa. 


SYMPTOMS OF MENINGITIS 


- Pain in back and neck muscles. 
- Stiffness in neck. 
- Skin present of blotchy rashes and red rashes. 
-  Bulging Frontalle
-  Fever 

- Fast breathing and heart rate
- In children, fear of sounds. 
- Irritability 
- In children, feeding problems
- Headache 
- Seizures
- Crying constantly in children 
- Jaundice 


WHO ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET MENINGITIS 

Child under age of 5
Teenagers and young ages between 16-20
Adults over  age of 55

The most fatal is BACTERIAL MENINGITIS caused by Streptococcus, Nisseria,Haemophillus influenza, Listeria monocytogenes.

VIRAL MENINGITIS is mild and is often clear by it's own.The virus cause meningitis are HIV, mumps, herpes simplex. 

TUBERCULOSIS can also cause infection to meninges,if it is milliary tuberculosis. 

FUNGAL MENINGITIS- It is uncommon mimic as bacterial MENINGITIS. 
It is not contagious. It is life threatening if not treated. 


Non infectious meningitis causes are lupus, head injury,cancer, brain swelling. 

COMPLICATIONS OF MENINGITIS-If left untreated complications can occured.

- Hearing loss
- Seizures 
- Gait problems 
- Shock
- Permanent neurological damage 
- Death 

PREVENTION can be done with immunizations, with good hygiene. 

DIAGNOSIS 

The physician takes medical history of patient in which age and residence of patient are included. 

Physician check for kernign sign- In this thigh is flexed at hip and knee at 90 degree and subsequently extension is done at knee which is painful. 

Brudzinskis sign:- Severe neck stiffness causes a patient hip and knee flexed when neck is flex.

SPINAL TAP- LUMBAR PUNCTURE and than csf culture is done.


Blood  test
CBC 
Chest xray to rule out Tuberculosis 
Ct scan and MRI
EEG to check Seizures 


TREATMENT OF MENINGITIS 

Hospitalization is needed. 
First of all swelling of brain should be reduced by IV Mannitol. 
A wide range of antibiotics is administered IV 
O2 therapy if needed.
Fluids to prevent dehydration. 
Steroids are needed to reduce inflammation. 
Furthermore treatment is needed as per complications. 

Treatment at home- Get plenty of rest,Antibiotics course,Anti sickness medication for vomiting 

If  brain damage cause sensory or motor loss happens PHYSIOTHERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY  is needed. 


MENINGITIS is fatal condition if left untreated can be fatal...Get all PREVENTION measures for meningitis. 
Because PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE.

Stay CONNECTED....Stay healthy.......

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