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 that makes 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 there are alterations in these protective elements that can produce serious consequences, as in the case of meningitis.

• Related article: "The 10 most common neurological disorders"

The meninges and their basic functions

The meninges are a series of three membranes located between the skull and the brain that perform many important functions in protecting the brain and spinal cord.

These membranes, called dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater, form a barrier that allows to cushion possible blows and traumas that could affect the integrity of the nervous system. They have various receptors that allow the detection of 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 function while helping to nourish and stabilize the environment neuronal.

Finally, the meninges also serve to structure and shape the brain and so that the intracranial pressure level 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 that in turn can cause damage to the nervous system. One of them is meningitis.

We understand meningitis as the process by which the meninges are inflamed due to infection, which 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 at the same time the balance of the environment in which neurons act is disturbed. 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 the inflammation and which parts of the system it affects, but broadly speaking they can be found frequently headaches, feeling weak and fatigued, decreased and even loss of consciousness. It is not uncommon for a high fever, vomiting, and dizziness to appear along with dehydration. Perceptual disturbances such as hallucinations and delusions, and also some motor symptoms such as tremors and even seizures.

Meningitis can be divided into acute, subacute or chronic depending on their evolution. Acute is understood to be those meningitis that evolve in less than 24 hours. The subacute are those in which there is a four of between one day to a week of 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 they can be divided into viral and bacterial.

1. Bacterial meningitis

These types of meningitis are caused by an infection produced by the entry of certain bacteria into the bodysuch as pneumococcus, streptococcus, or meningococcus. Said entry can be due to trauma, pneumonia, immune and / or metabolic problems or even due to bacteria in the body. They have a serious nature especially when they occur in children, the elderly and the population with various diseases.

• You may be interested: "The 3 types of bacteria (characteristics and morphology)"

2. Viral

Viral meningitis are those 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 severe.

However, there are special cases of special risk and seriousness. A special case is that produced by the herpes virus, since it tends to also cause encephalitis or inflammation of the brain which can lead to fatal or disabling alterations in the brain of the patient.

Another virus that causes meningitis is HIV, which due to the weakening of the immune system can cause complications.

3. Not 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 in 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, that is, its causes. You have to take into account the possibility that the bacteria and viruses that cause meningitis they can get infected, with which certain caution is recommended with risk populations such as children under one year of age or the elderly.

Fortunately, many of the bacteria that are capable of causing meningitis They have their vaccine, which is usually applied already 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 the treatment, there is often no time to perform a culture and analysis of the bacteria, thus that drugs are frequently used that attack most of the bacteria that usually cause this trouble.

Forecast

The prognosis will depend on the situation of each patient at the time of admission and if they have received treatment on time, age, the state of the immune system and the type of bacteria that causes it. having 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 can present sequelae such as intellectual disability, epileptic seizures or loss of senses.

In regards to viral meningitis, as long as it does not cause inflammation of the nervous system as such, there is usually a complete healing without sequelae, in many cases disappearing on their own. However, children, the elderly and the population 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, as when seizures appear 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.