Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord. Types of pathology differ in nature, the spread of inflammation, the rate of development, the severity of the course. When making a diagnosis, the question arises of whether meningitis is generally treated or not, and what consequences may arise, how the pathology proceeds and what leads to it.
Disease classification
The classification of pathology provides for the division of the disease according to a variety of signs.
- By the nature of the inflammatory process. Meningitis is divided into serous, in which a large number of lymphocytes are found in the cerebrospinal fluid washing the brain; purulent, in which pus impurities are present in the cerebrospinal fluid.
- In terms of distribution, the pathology can be limited and generalized. In the first case, it affects either the main part of the brain or only one of the hemispheres, in the second case, inflammation affects the entire membrane of the brain.
- By the rate of development of pathology. Meningitis can be acute, chronic, subacute, fulminant.
- By severity, a mild, severe, moderate and extremely severe form is distinguished.
Pathology Features
When wondering whether or not meningitis is being treated, first you need to find out as much information about the pathology as possible.
Inflammation can be caused by bacteria, viruses, protozoa, or fungi. The latter type occurs with reduced immunity.
Most often, the pathology proceeds sharply, starting with a high temperature - 39 degrees. The patient has severe headaches, vomiting, which does not bring relief. Later, meningeal symptoms join. The most important of them is stiff neck: the patient cannot reach his chest with his chin, tilting his head forward. Dizziness, drowsiness, photophobia also appear. In some cases, convulsions, loss of consciousness are noted.
Bacterial meningitis
Is bacterial type meningitis treated or not? Before prescribing treatment, the doctor must determine what type of bacteria caused the inflammation. If it was caused by a meningococcal bacterium, then this is manifested by a characteristic skin rash. With other forms of meningitis, a rash does not happen, except when inflammation is accompanied by sepsis.
Bacterial meningitis has long been considered a childhood pathology. According to statistics from the eighties, the average age of patients with this disease was 15 months. In the nineties, the statistics changed, the average age of patients with bacterial meningitis was 25 years.
Among inflammations of a viral nature, meningitis caused by enterovirus infection most often prevails.
Among the chronic form, the causative agent is most often the tubercle bacillus.
Pathology in men
The stronger sex most often suffers from inflammation at the age of 20 to 30 years. Most often, the pathology is purulent. The cause of infection are pneumococci, meningococci, hemophilus bacillus, tuberculosis bacillus.
Most often, pathology occurs against the background of a negligent attitude to various diseases that are perceived by men as frivolous. It can be inflammatory processes in the oral cavity, sinuses, respiratory infections, bronchitis, otitis media and other ailments.
Pathology in women
Compared to men, women are less likely to suffer from meningitis, but there are times when the ailment is especially dangerous. These include pregnancy, during which immunity is reduced. As a prevention, it is recommended to limit contacts with other people as much as possible, as well as conduct timely treatment of inflammatory foci.
Pathology in children
So is it treated or not meningitis in children and adults? Yes, pathology is treated.
Inflammation of the lining of the brain is dangerous for children under the age of 5 years. According to statistics, every twentieth child dies from meningitis. If a child becomes infected during childbirth, passing through the birth canal, there is a high probability that he will get a severe form of meningitis, which is caused by dangerous microorganisms.
At the age of 5-6 years, viral infection most often occurs. In school children, pathology occurs extremely rarely. A low level of the disease is associated with vaccination of the population.
Viral meningitis
The most favorable form of pathology is considered viral meningitis. This variety minimally damages the lining of the brain. And how is adult meningitis treated and what are the consequences of the viral form? This variety practically does not leave consequences, and patients with it quickly recover. In most cases, inflammation is secondary in nature and develops as a complication of untreated viral infection. Most often, viral meningitis occurs:
- after enterovirus infection;
- due to the herpes virus;
- cytomegalovirus;
- mononucleosis.
The viral type of inflammation of the lining of the brain can be caused by SARS.
During an ailment, the pathogen penetrates the lining of the brain with the flow of blood, lymph, through the cerebrospinal fluid. As a result, it causes serous tissue inflammation. With this variety, there is no purulent exudate.
Viral meningitis differs from other types of pathology in a short course. The acute stage lasts up to three days and already on the fifth day there is significant relief. Knowing this, it can be assumed how much meningitis is treated. In adults, viral pathology is not as dangerous as in childhood. Therefore, with vomiting that does not bring relief, the presence of a viral infection and headaches, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Tuberculosis
When a tubercle bacillus penetrates the lining of the brain, tuberculous meningitis occurs. In approximately 75% of cases, pathology is a complication of the active form of tuberculosis of the bones, lungs, and reproductive system. Less commonly, an ailment occurs in isolation, independently.
There was a time when this type of inflammation of the lining of the brain was considered characteristic of adolescents and children, but in the twentieth century, everything changed, and the disease began to arise equally often in different age groups.
Other types of meningitis
How much meningitis is treated depends on its type, severity. In addition to the above species, the following species are found:
- fungal;
- mixed, caused by several types of pathogens at once;
- protozoal caused by toxoplasmosis;
- non-infectious type, which metastases in cancer lead to, systemic ailments of connective tissue.
And how is meningitis treated in children and adults in these cases? With each type, the doctor selects an individual treatment regimen, depending on the pathogen, stage of the disease.
Serous meningitis
Asking the question whether meningitis is treated without consequences, each doctor will say that this is affected by the type of ailment. With serous inflammation of the membranes, a transparent exudate is released, which contains a large number of lymphocytes. A feature of this variety is the absence of cell necrosis, and with proper treatment, a full recovery occurs without complications.
Most often, a viral infection leads to serous inflammation - about 80% of cases, the remaining 20% are fungi, bacteria, metastases, etc. Most often, this species occurs in childhood, in adults, is rare.
And how many days is meningitis treated and when are its effects? Therapy takes about a week, and after a month the patient does not have a trace of the inflammation.
Purulent form
And is purulent meningitis treated in adults, what are the consequences of the disease? This species is considered a severe form. In the absence of therapy, it always leads to death.
The cause of purulent infection is bacteria. Most often, this species is diagnosed in children under the age of five years, less often in adults.
With a purulent form, pus is located on the surface of the membrane of the brain, leading to the death of individual cells. Because of this, even with timely treatment, complications arise.
By the nature of the course, purulent meningitis is lightning-fast when the count goes on for minutes; sharp abortive and relapsing. The first variety is not treatable.
How long is other types of meningitis treated? Bacterial infection is always treated difficult and for a long time. Therapy of brain inflammation takes about two weeks, the exact period is determined individually in each case.
Treatment methods
If you suspect inflammation of the lining of the brain or spinal cord, hospitalization is necessary. The choice of department depends on the cause of the ailment. In bacterial and viral infections, patients are sent to the infectious diseases department. If meningitis is a complication of otitis media or other ENT organs, then the patient is sent to the otolaryngological department. Tuberculosis infection is treated in a tuberculosis dispensary.
And how long is adult meningitis treated and what drugs are used? Therapy is aimed at removing the clinical manifestations of the disease, as well as eliminating the cause of the inflammation.
To reduce the temperature, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used, such as Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Nurofen.
If the pathology is caused by a bacterial infection, then broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed. Duration of administration, dosage are determined in each case individually. After obtaining the results of a bacteriological study, antibiotics are replaced taking into account the sensitivity of the pathogen to it.
With viral pathology, treatment is carried out with antiviral agents, and drugs are also selected that reduce intracranial pressure.
Be sure to prescribe detoxification therapy. The use of drugs is carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor of the volume of urine released and an assessment of the general condition of the patient. If suspected of cerebral edema, detoxification treatment is not carried out.
Be sure to pick up medications that help relieve inflammation. Hormone medications, such as Dexamethasone, are preferred.
If necessary, conduct mechanical ventilation.
If meningitis is secondary, then surgical treatment of the underlying disease is prescribed, tuberculosis therapy is carried out.
Rehabilitation period
After meningitis, patients are observed by a neurologist for two years. In the first year, it is necessary to conduct an inspection at least once every three months, then the frequency of visits increases to once every six months.
Recovery period includes:
- Diet. The main task of proper nutrition is to restore strength after pathology. For this purpose, it is recommended to include in the menu only those dishes and products that will not irritate the digestive tract. Fruits, vegetables are recommended to be subjected to heat treatment. The diet includes mashed potatoes, stewed, baked vegetables, soups. As an additional source of protein, dairy products are added to the menu. Of the drinks, preference is given to weak tea, kissels, and compotes.
- Physiotherapy. It includes not only classic massage, but also various hardware techniques. This can be electrophoresis, electrosleep, magnetic laser therapy, magnetotherapy and other techniques that allow to stimulate or relax different muscle groups.
- Exercise therapy. The specialist helps to return to normal physical activity.
- Ergotherapy. A set of measures designed for household adaptation of the patient. Any pathology leads to a change in lifestyle, and ergotherapy helps patients restore coordination, amplitude and strength of movements.
- Cognitive treatment. This includes various exercises aimed at restoring logical thinking, memory, and attention.
Many factors influence how much meningitis is treated in adults. When choosing a treatment regimen, the doctor takes into account all the results of the diagnosis, evaluates the general condition of the patient, the form, type of meningitis, age, individual characteristics of the body, the presence of chronic ailments.
Meningitis is a dangerous pathology that can lead to death. If you suspect this pathology, you should immediately call an ambulance. Before the doctor arrives, the patient is provided with complete peace, silence, and a bright light is removed. You can not refuse hospitalization, as this can lead to death - you can effectively fight inflammation only in a hospital and under the supervision of an experienced doctor.