MIGRENA - zakaj tako boli, zakaj je nevarna? | Moja-lekarna.com

A migraine is usually a moderate to severe headache that usually feels like a throbbing pain on one side of the head.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. A bacterial or viral infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord usually causes swelling.

Migraine

Migraine is a common medical condition, affecting about 1 in 5 women and about 1 in 15 men.

Typically, the first migraine attacks begin in early adulthood.

SYMPTOMS

If there is a headache:

dull, constant pain, the feeling that you have a tight band around your head, you have a tension headache.
pulsating, starting on one side and accompanied by nausea, you have a migraine. Before the onset of the headache, visual disturbances may appear, such as flashing points of light.

migraine-painful-head

throbbing pain around one, red eye, accompanied by tearing and stuffy nose on that side of the face, you have a headache in fits.
uniform pain in the area just behind the face, which worsens when bending forward and is accompanied by a stuffy nose, you have a sinus headache.

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR IF:

a severe headache is accompanied by vomiting, weakness in the limbs, double vision, slurred speech or difficulty swallowing; you may have a brain bleed or aneurysm. Seek medical attention immediately!

is a headache of such a kind as it has never been before, and comes on immediately in the morning, does not cease, induces vomiting, and diminishes during the day; you may have high blood pressure or, in very rare cases, a brain tumour. Consult your doctor without delay!

you have a high fever and light causes pain in your eyes, and the pain is severe and is accompanied by nausea and a stiff neck; the cause may be meningitis. Seek medical attention immediately!

you are dizzy, dizzy, nauseous or vomiting after a head injury; it is possible that you have a concussion. Consult your doctor without delay!

Although headaches are painful and very disturbing, most of them are of no major importance and can be easily cured with acetylsalicylic acid or another analgesic.

Video content: Migraine attacks, signs and symptoms.

However, if the headaches are severe, reoccur frequently, or are accompanied by other symptoms, you will need to take some additional steps and consult your doctor. Headaches are divided according to the cause.

Muscle pain or tension headache makes up the first frequent group.

Video content: more about tension headache

Vascular headaches are another common category; include migraine and paroxysmal headache.

The third group consists of headaches due to problems with the nasal cavities (sinuses). A tension headache, which affects almost everyone at least once in their life, is a dull, persistent, non-throbbing pain that makes you feel like you have a tight band around your head. You have a feeling of tension in the neck muscles, certain areas of the headand neck are sensitive to touch. The main cause of pain is the nerve endings on the head and neck, which have been stimulated by tense muscles. Tension headaches can be short and infrequent, or they can last a long time and be chronic.

Migraine is the most exhausting of all headaches; can disable it completely.

Video content: what happens to your brain during a migraine?

Some people experience a warning sign called an aura before a migraine; these can be visual disturbances, e.g. flashing points of light, black points or zigzag lines, or less commonly numbness of a limb or smelling strange smells. Whether warning signs appear or not, a migraine usually begins with a severe, throbbing pain on one side of the head. The pain can spread and is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. It can last from a few hours to three days. The patient is hypersensitive to light, smells and sounds.

All migraine symptoms are associated with a change in the diameter of the lumen of the blood vessels in the skull: during the initial phase, the vessels shrink, but they expand when the pain begins. These changes occur because a substance called serotonin is out of balance in the brain. Hormones also play a role; there is a strong connection between changes in estrogen concentration and migraines.

migraine-disease-tisoc-obrazov

Attack headaches occur in clusters. They usually start several hours after a person falls asleep, sometimes preceded by a feeling of mild pain on one side of the head. He usually feels very severe, piercing pain around one eye, which is red and watery, usually accompanied by a stuffy nose and a red face. It lasts from 30 minutes to two hours and then diminishes or disappears completely, only to reappear in about a day. Four or more attacks may occur in a row in one day. Headaches may occur daily, and weeks or months may pass before long periods of improvement occur. The vast majority of patients are men.

Image: from left to right orientation display of different types of headaches: sinus headache, tension headache, sinus headache and migraine

headache-where-is-it

A sinus headache is characterized by pain in the forehead, nose, eyes and sometimes the top of the head; sometimes it also causes a feeling of tension behind the face. The cause of these headaches is inflammation or infection of the mucous membranes that surround the nasal cavities. The pain can also be caused by pulling on the sinus mucosa, which occurs when a blocked nose creates a negative pressure in the paranasal cavities.

CAUSES

Headache occurs for many reasons. Sinus headache is usually caused by hay fever or other seasonal allergies, or by a cold or flu. In tension headaches the most common trigger is stress; it can arise due to tension at home or at work or due to a physical reason, e.g. constant noise. It can also be caused by eye strain, poor posture, consuming excessive amounts of caffeine, and teeth grinding or clenching while sleeping.

Image: triggers of various headaches, especially migraine

migraine-triggers

Migraine is more unexplained, although most evidence suggests that the contraction and dilation of blood vessels is involved, some researchers believe that the headaches are originally neurological in origin. Migraine often runs in families, so it is likely that heredity plays a role. A large number of different factors can trigger an attack, e.g. too much caffeine, different foods or smells, dry wind, napping, change in altitude or season, hormonal fluctuations or birth control pills, skipping a meal or a stuffy room. It can also occur after intense emotions such as anger or excitement. Also exercise, sexual activity or ze-

HEADACHES and ACUPRESSURE

1. A sinus headache can be relieved by pressing the point Stomach 3.
In front of the mirror, place the index fingers of both hands on the lower edge of the cheekbones, with the fingertips directly below the pupils. Press hard for one minute. Repeat three times.

2. Pressure on the Main Vein 24.5 point can improve headache. Place the center tip on top of the bridge of the nose between the eyebrows. Apply gentle pressure for two minutes, breathing deeply. Ponothree to five times, at least twice a day. To reduce tension in the neck muscles that can be associated with a tension headache, try pressing on the Gallbladder Point 20. Place the tips of the centers in the hollow at the base of the skull about five inches apart on each side of the spine. Press hard for one minute.

Video content: 7 acupressure points for effective self-help with headaches.

3. Pressure on the Colon 4 point in the space between the thumb and forefinger can relieve a sinus headache. With the thumb and forefinger of the right hand, press the point on the left hand for one minute. Repeat on the right hand. If you are pregnant, do not use point DČ 4.

4. Pressure on the Liver 3 point can also relieve headaches. Place your index fingers on the backs of both feet, the tips of your toes at the base of the big toe between the first and second toes. Press for one minute, then release. Repeat two to three times a day.

- lo cold food can speed up or trigger the onset of migraine.

Attack headaches are the most complex of all. They are more common in heavy smokers than in non-smokers, in some cases alcohol consumption and certain foods are involved, but the underlying cause is unknown.

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES

The doctor will want to rule out possible organic causes of the headache, e.g. aneurysm, tumor or structural abnormality, so he will use vision tests, X-rays, computed tomography, lumbar puncture or electroencephalography (EEG).

HEALTH

Conventional and alternative medicine can be successful in the treatment of headaches, and both approaches can also be combined. Almost all therapists e.g. they believe that relaxation is beneficial for tension headaches and migraines.

CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE

In most tension headaches, analgesics such as acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol or ibuprofen help; in chronic cases, antidepressants can help. Sinus headache can be relieved with antibiotics and decongestants.

A wide range of different drugs are prescribed for migraine. If you have three or more severe migraine attacks per month, your doctor may advise you to take permanent preventive medication. These drugs are propranolol from the group of beta-blockers, which reduce the contraction of blood vessels, calcium channel blockers, e.g. verapamil, or antidepressants. If the migraine attacks are milder or occur less than three times a month, your doctor may prescribe combination medications containing isometheptene or ergotamine (also available in suppository form, if vomiting does not keep the medication in the body). Sumatriptan, available as tablets or injections, is intended to treat migraines and can provide dramatic headache relief.

Video content: Migraine and the medical approach to solving it.

A nasal spray containing the serotonin inhibitor dihydroergotamine works quickly to constrict blood vessels and reduce inflammation. Even acetylsalicylic acid in the form of effervescent tablets can be effective if taken at the first sign of an attack. Drink it a few minutes after taking metoclopramide, which reduces nausea and improves absorption, thus shortening the attack.

Drug Dosage Calculators

If you are taking the following medications, the following calculators are available, which you can use for informational purposes.

The values are informative, an individual consultation with a doctor is highly recommended.

In the case of headache attacks, simple analgesics are less effective because they do not work quickly enough. Doctors have found that inhaling pure oxygen is very effective. It can also be alleviated by a short course of corticosteroids, methylsergide maleate and lithium carbonate, as well as some calcium channel blockers and vasoconstrictors used to treat migraine.

ALTERNATIVE METHODS

Most alternative treatments try to tacklethe underlying cause of the headache. Tension and stress are often manifested by headaches, so relaxation techniques are the essence of treatment programs.

ACUPRESSURE

This technique is often used in conjunction with one of the oils commonly used in aromatherapy.

AROMATHERAPY

The following herbal oils can help relax and ease the pain of tension headaches and migraines. Wet your fingers with one or two drops of lavender (Lavandula officinalis) essential oil mixed with so-called carrier oil, e.g. sunflower oil; then gently massage the shadow with circular movements; do the same in the hollows at the sides of the eyes, behind the ears and above the neck.

Image: herbs used for different types of headaches, especially migraines.

herbs-for-migraines-and-headaches

For a sinus headache, try the same technique, but with eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) or sedge (Gaultheria procumbens). For all forms of headache, you can inhale a mixture of lavender, rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and peppermint (Mentha piperita). You can also use the oils for compresses that you place on painful areas or for a bath. In this way, the muscles relax and the pain subsides.

CHIROPRACTIC

Some tension headaches are caused by poor posture, which creates unnecessary tension in the muscles. A chiropractor can relieve tension by manipulating and adjusting the spine and neck. Some studies have shown that neck manipulation has fewer side effects and is more effective in the long term than conventional medication.

HERBS

The most widely recommended herb for the treatment and prevention of migraine is the fleabane (Chrysanthemum parthenium), which inhibits the excessive secretion of the neurotransmitter serotonin. When the blood vessels constrict in the initial phase of a migraine, serotonin is released; the flea counteracts this effect and dilates the blood vessels. Prevent an attack by chewing a leaf or two a day, which can cause mouth ulcers; 125 mg capsules can be used instead of the leaves. To interrupt an acute attack, take 3 to 4 capsules immediately, then every four hours recovery

WARNING!

Although painkillers can be effective when used regularly against headaches, they should not be taken for a long period of time, especially those containing caffeine or codeine. Research shows that the constant use of painkillers can have just the opposite effect - in fact, it causes headaches, or inhibits the action of other drugs, which e.g. taken regularly to prevent migraine attacks. Addiction to painkillers also reduces the effectiveness of endorphins, the body's own painkillers, and permanently changes pain pathways in the brain and spinal cord.

dose; but not more than 12 capsules per day. A combination of equal parts hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha), linden (Tilia spp), dogwood (Pedicularis canadensis), scutellaria lateriflora and viburnum opulus (Viburnum opulus) three times a day can help with migraines caused by stress. .

For migraines accompanied by nausea and vomiting, try taking 500 mg of dried ginger (Zingiber officinale) with water right after the warning signs start, if you have an aura before the headache starts; if necessary, you can take it every 2 hours. Three daily doses of hydrastis (Hydrastis canadensis) in the form of tincture, tea or powder relieve the pain of a sinus headache.

Video content: 11 plants for self-help with headaches and migraines.

Tension headache responds to three times a day consumption of valerian (Valeriana officinalis) tincture in combination with hellebore and passion flower (Passiflora incarnata). Attack headaches improve quickly if you apply an ointment made from cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens) to your nose several times a day. The same ointment is also effective for migraines if applied to the skin. Since cayenne pepper is hot and can cause painful burns, it is best to use the medicine under the supervision of a doctor.

HOMEOPATHY

A large selection of homeopathic remedies is available to treat different types of headache. For a throbbing headache on the right side that gets worse when lying down, try belladonna. For a severe and tearing headache, worse with motion, noise, light, or touch, try bryonia. For sinus pain with thick, green nasal discharge, you can use calii bichromicum. Consult a homeopathy specialist for the treatment of migraine or other chronic headaches.

WAY OF LIFE

Regular exercise releases endorphins, the body's own painkillers. Exercise also dilates blood vessels, which increases circulation and prevents vasoconstriction at the onset of a migraine attack. To nip a tension headache in the bud, try the following exercises, during which you breathe deeply.

WAITH THE PAIN

Your imagination can sometimes be the best cure for a headache. Try a technique that relies on your mind's own power to overcome the pain. It helps if your partner guides you through this exercise by speaking, and eventually you will be able to do it yourself.

Close your eyes and imagine that a headache is a liquid that fills a container of a certain size, the more a painful headache, the bigger the container. Now imagine pouring your headache into a slightly smaller container, but none of the liquid will spill out. Continue pouring the liquid into smaller and smaller containers; you should slowly feel the headache diminishing.

Do the exercise and think of something relaxing: take a deep breath while sitting and slowly tilt your head back until you see the ceiling (be careful not to tilt your head too far back, as this can compress the cervical spine); exhale and bend your head forward until your chin touches your chest; repeat twice.

Keep a headache diary so you can identify factors that cause certain problems.

The diary should contain answers to 10 questions:
1. When did your headaches first start?
2. How often do you have a headache?
3. Do you experience any symptoms before the onset of the headache?
4. Where exactly is the pain located?
5. How long does it take?
6. What part of the day do headaches occur?
7. Do you eat a certain type of food before the onset of a headache?
8. If you are a woman, in what part of the monthly cycle do headaches occur?
9. Are headaches triggered by physical or environmental factors, e.g. smell, noise or certain weather?
10. Which word most accurately describes the form of your headache: throbbing, piercing, blinding, throbbing, throbbing...?

MASSAGE

Massage can prevent headaches by reducing tension in the muscles of the head, neck, shoulders or face. Try a 10-minute self-massage of the scalp: place both centers on the forehead along the hairline; with gentle pressure, slowly move them towards the dark; repeat the same movements along the hairline - at intervals of 1 cm until you reach the shadows; circle your fingers on both sides for a few minutes; then go with your thumbs along the hairline to the base of the skull and massage both sides of the skull upwards towards the crown of the head until you completely release the tension.

MEDICINE OF SPIRIT AND BODY

Meditation and gradual relaxation techniques are effective in reducing the stress that can cause tension headaches. Even training t i. biofeedback is useful in reducing stress. We also treat migraine headaches with a method called thermal biofeedback; in this method, learn to increase the temperature of your hands and feet. The extremities are warmed by the expansion of the blood vessels that feed them - the process reduces the abnormal narrowing of the blood vessels in the skull, so migraine attacks are less frequent, milder and shorter.

NUTRITION

Foods associated with migraine headaches include chocolate, mature cheeses, citrus fruits, meat products containing sodium nitrate or the food additive monosodium glutamate, and red wine. A food diary can help you identify the foods you need to eliminate.

Video content: inappropriate types of food during migraine attacks, avoid them.

Magnesium dilates narrowed blood vessels; too low a concentration of magnesium can affect the formation of migraine or headache in attacks. We can add 200 mg of magnesium three times a day as a preventive measure. If you take 30 to 200 mg of niacin (vitamin B) and niacinamide at the first sign of pain, the veins remain dilated. This reduces the initial constriction phase of migraine and the attack can be prevented.

OSTEOPATHY

Osteopaths believe that headache pain originates from pressure on nerves and blood vessels and can be relieved by neuromuscular manipulation and soft tissue massage of the head, neck and upper back.

HEALTH AT HOME

You can stop a migraine attack by placing a bag of ice or frozen vegetables on your forehead immediately after the onset of pain, while soaking your feet in hot water.
At the first signs of a headache, drink three glasses of very cold water, nthen retreat to a dark, quiet room with cold compresses and fall asleep (without a pillow).
Inhaling pure oxygen from a cylinder you keep near your bed can keep nighttime headache attacks at bay. Be sure to talk to your doctor about how you can use oxygen.

Vomiting

Did you know that migraine can also be associated with symptoms such as: vomiting and nausea?

Video content: symptoms of migraine attacks

Find your symptom in the first column, then read the descriptions horizontally.

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SYMPTOMS	DISEASE/PROBLEM	WHAT TO DO?

Vomiting, apparently provoked by special circumstances, e.g. a long car ride or a stressful meeting.	Hiatus hernia.	If the cause is travel sickness, consult your doctor about prevention with medication, e.g. antiemetics. which you take before you go on a journey. If the cause is anxiety, find a relaxation technique — eg. yoga — that suits you, and use it regularly. See also Stress.	Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in capsules can help against motion sickness. The same applies to acupressure.
Small amount of rash, heartburn, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath.	Migraine headache; it could be meningitis.	See a doctor for an accurate diagnosis, Antacids. over-the-counter medications are often the first line of defense against heartburn. avoiding anything that irritates the stomach can also help, e.g. alcohol, tobacco and caffeine.
Vomiting, headache, nausea; symptoms may worsen if the light is strong.	Inner ear disease, possibly Meniere's disease.	If you suspect you have meningitis, call your doctor immediately or call 112. Various analgesics (either over-the-counter or prescription) can help against migraines.	Meningitis requires urgent medical treatment, and migraine symptoms can be alleviated with various alternative methods. Herbalists often recommend taking 125 mg of chrysanthemum parthenium in a capsule once a day to prevent migraines.
Vomiting, followed by severe dizziness, which makes you feel that everything around you is spinning; the problem may be accompanied by ringing in the ears.	Gastroenteritis (also called the stomach or stomach flu).	See a doctor. You may need antibiotics to cure an ear infection. If you see a doctor today. You may be to treat an infection
Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and fever lasting less than 48 hours and may have occurred after eating heavy, spicy, or possibly spoiled food, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, or after taking a drug that you have never taken before.	Kidney infections.	Get rest, drink plenty of water and eat light food. If the problem is caused by a bacterial infection, you may need an antibiotic.	Rest, drink a lot and eat light food. If the problem is due to a bacterial infection, you may need an antibiotic.
Vomiting accompanied by fever, lower abdominal pain, and frequent and/or painful urination with an unpleasant odor.	Jaundice.	Go to the doctor today. You may need an antibiotic to treat the infection. See your doctor. There are many possible causes of jaundice and some are serious.	If you are prone to kidney infections, you may be able to keep them at bay by drinking cranberry juice. There are also cranberry capsules.
Recurrent vomiting accompanied by yellowing of the skin, sclera, or both.		Go see a doctor. There are many possible causes of jaundice and some are serious.	If you have yellow skin and white sclerae, it is possible that you have carotenemia. not for jaundice. Carotenemia is a harmless consequence of a large amount of carotene dye in the body; it can be caused by a diet rich in green leafy vegetables, carrots and oranges.

Weakness

Did you know that migraine can also be associated with symptoms such as: vomiting and nausea?

Find your symptom in the first column, then read the descriptions horizontally.

SYMPTOMS	DISEASE/PROBLEM	WHAT TO DO?

You experience nausea after a specific event or stimulus, such as a roller coaster ride, an unpleasant smell, or a stressful event.	Anxiety, motion sickness, stress or just a natural reaction to an unpleasant experience.	If a sight, sound, or smell makes you sick, close your eyes, plug your ears and nose, and focus on something pleasant.	Medicine of mind and body, e.g. meditation, can help you reduce stress. Ginger capsules (Zingiber officinale) and acupressure bracelets reduce motion sickness.
Frequent burning pain in the upper middle part of the abdomen, usually disappears after feeding; it may be accompanied by nausea.	Gastritis; gastric ulcer.	If problems persist or recur, see a doctor. Avoid irritants such as alcohol, tobacco and caffeine. You can ease the problem with antacids.	Herbal teas made from chamomile (Matricaria recutita) or lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) relieve symptoms.
Weakness; severe headache, possibly vomiting; symptoms worsen in bright light.	Migraine headache; can also meningitis.	If you suspect meningitis, immediately call emergency medical services or 112. Migraine responds to various analgesics (over the counter or prescription).	Migraines often have specific triggers, such as red wine and chocolate. The best way to manage a headache is to identify and avoid these triggers.
Nausea during cancer chemotherapy.	Common side effects of cancer treatment.	Talk to your doctor about ways to manage these symptoms.	Discuss any alternative treatments with your doctor before trying them. Search for templates in Rak.
Sudden attacks of nausea, vomiting, severe dizziness and pain in the ears, sometimes ringing or buzzing in the ears.	Monk's disease.	Consult your doctor. Treatments that reduce the number of attacks include: reducing salt intake and taking prescribed medications daily to prevent fluid retention and dizziness.	Mind-body medicine, yoga, and massage can teach you to manage the stress that triggers seizures. Do not read or avoid bright light during an attack to reduce dizziness.
Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever lasting less than 48 hours; they can appear after eating fatty, spicy or spoiled food, after drinking too much alcohol or after taking medicines that you have not taken before.	Gastroenteritis (also called stomach or intestinal flu).	Rest, drink plenty of fluids and eat light food. If stomach problems are caused by an infection, sometimes you need an antibiotic.	Gastroenteritis is caused by viral or bacterial infections, food poisoning, excessive drinking of alcohol or consumption of rich food, and certain medications (including antibiotics). If you suspect that the cause of the problem is a prescribed medication, consult your doctor.
Nausea lasting one or two weeks, headache, fatigue and weakness; sometimes sore throat, fever, rash.	Mononucleosis; scarlet fever, which may be the result of purulent angina.	Consult your doctor. With mononucleosis, rest is necessary, return to normal activity slowly. Scarlet fever should be treated with antibiotics.	Scarlet infection used to be a common childhood disease, but today it is rare.
	Gallstones; gallbladder infection, in the upper abdomen and radiating under the right	See a doctor immediately to determine your condition. Gallstone attacks sometimes need to be treated immediately.	Medical care is required, conventional treatment can be supplemented with alternative methods, e.g. Chinese herbs (which dissolve gallstones).

Meningitis

Meningitis symptoms

Heat.
Severe headache.
Stiff neck, shoulders or back.
Severe, piercing pain in the back of the neck, on bending the neck forward, sometimes all over the spine. The patient cannot tolerate strong light (photophobia).
A rash anywhere on the body — dark red or purple bumps or spots.
Dizziness and confusion.
Vomiting.
Convulsions and coma.
In babies: bulging fontanelles, i.e. soft parts of the skull.
In infants: weak, whining cry.

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR IF:

notice the described symptoms - especially if it is a combination of severe headache, stiff neck and sensitivity to light; seek emergency medical attention immediately.
with the child, notice the upperhas symptoms; seek emergency medical attention immediately.

Meningitis is an infection of thin open or meninges, which cover the spinal cord and brain.

It almost always occurs as a complication of a bacterial or viral infection elsewhere in the body, e.g. in the ears, nasal cavities or upper respiratory tract. Bacterial meningitis is a very serious illness that requires immediate medical attention. If not treated quickly, it can result in death within hours or leave permanent neurological damage. Viral meningitis tends to be milder; most patients recover completely without consequences.

Video content: Meningitis - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and pathology

The infection begins with flu-like symptoms - fever, headache and vomiting - followed by increasingly severe dizziness and severe pain in the neck, especially when bending the head forward. Small children react to pain by involuntarily arching their entire back. Some types of meningitis cause a dark red or purple rash anywhere on the body. In babies, swelling of the meninges causes the fontanelles - the soft parts of the skull - to bulge. Meningitis is spread between people who live close together - eg. in student dormitories.

Bacterial meningitis

Bacteria that enter the bloodstream and travel to the brain and spinal cord can cause acute bacterial meningitis. But it can also occur when bacteria directly invades the meninges area. This can be the result of an ear or sinus infection, a skull fracture or - rarely - certain types of surgery.

Video content: Why is meningitis so dangerous?

Several strains of bacteria can cause acute bacterial meningitis, but the most common are the following:

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). This bacterium is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in infants, young children, and adults in the United States. More often, it also causes pneumonia or ear or sinus infections. A vaccine can help prevent this infection.

Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus). This bacterium is another leading cause of bacterial meningitis. These bacteria usually cause an upper respiratory infection, but can cause meningococcal meningitis when they enter the bloodstream. It is a highly contagious infection that mainly affects teenagers and young adults. It can cause local epidemics in dormitories, boarding schools, and military bases. The vaccine can help prevent infection. Even if a person is vaccinated, anyone who has been in close contact with a person with meningococcal meningitis should receive an oral antibiotic to prevent the disease.

Haemophilus influenzae (hemophilus). Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria used to be the main cause of bacterial meningitis in children. But the new Hib vaccines have greatly reduced the number of cases of this type of meningitis.

Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria). These bacteria can be found in unpasteurized cheeses, hot dogs and meat. Pregnant women, newborns, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are most susceptible to infection. Listeria can cross the placenta, and infections in late pregnancy can be fatal for the baby.

Viral meningitis

Viral meningitis is usually mild and often goes away on its own. Most cases in the United States are caused by a group of viruses known as enteroviruses, which are most common in late summer and early fall.

Video content: common causes of viral meningitis.

Viruses such as herpes simplex virus, HIV, mumps virus, West Nile virus and others can also cause viral meningitis.

Chronic meningitis

Slow-growing organisms (such as fungi and Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that invade the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain cause chronic meningitis.

Video content: More about chronic meningitis

Chronic meningitis develops over two weeks or more. The signs and symptoms of chronic meningitis - headache, fever, vomiting and mental confusion - are similar to those of acute meningitis.

Fungal meningitis

Fungal meningitis is relatively rare in the United States. It can mimic acute bacterial meningitis. It is often contracted by inhaling fungal spores that can be found in soil, decaying wood and bird droppings. Fungal meningitis is not contagious from person to person.

Video content: More about fungal meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a common fungal form of the disease that affects people with immunodeficiencies such as AIDS. It is life-threatening if not treated with antifungal drugs. Even with treatment, fungal meningitis can recur.

Parasitic meningitis

Parasites can cause a rare type of meningitis called eosinophilic meningitis. Parasitic meningitis can also be caused by tapeworm infection in the brain (cysticercosis) or cerebral malaria. Amoebic meningitis is a rare type that is sometimes contracted while swimming in fresh water and can quickly become life-threatening. The main parasites that cause meningitis usually infect animals. Humans usually become infected by eating foods contaminated with these parasites. Parasitic meningitis is not transmitted between people.

Other causes of meningitis

Meningitis can also be caused by non-infectious causes, such as chemical reactions, drug allergies, certain types of cancer, and inflammatory diseases such as sarcoidosis.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for meningitis include:

Non-participation in vaccination - the risk increases for anyone who has not completed the recommended vaccination schedule for children or adults.

Age - most cases of viral meningitis occur in children under 5 years of age. Bacterial meningitis is common in people under the age of 20.

Community living - students living in dormitories, personnel on military bases, and children in boarding schools and children's institutions are at increased risk of meningococcal meningitis. This is probably because the bacteria is spread by droplets via the respiratory tract and spreads quickly through large groups of people.

Pregnancy - pregnancy increases the risk of listeriosis - an infection caused by the bacterium listeria, which can also cause meningitis. Listeriosis increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth.

Weakened Immune System - AIDS, alcoholism, diabetes, use of immunosuppressants, and other factors that affect your immune system also make you more susceptible to meningitis.< /p>

Video content: risk factors in meningitis.

Removal of the spleen also increases the risk of infection - anyone without a spleen should be vaccinated to reduce the risk of infection.

Complications of infection

Complications of meningitis can be severe. The longer you or your child have the disease without treatment, the greater the risk of seizures and permanent neurological damage, including:

hearing loss
memory problems
learning difficulties
brain injuries
problems with walking
epileptic seizures
kidney failure
shock
death

With prompt treatment, even people with severe meningitis can make a good recovery.

Prevention

Common bacteria or viruses that cause meningitis can be spread by coughing, sneezing, kissing, or sharing eating utensils, toothbrushes, or cigarettes.

hygiene-and-protection-meningitis

These steps can help prevent this type of meningitis:

Wash your hands. Careful hand washing helps prevent the spread of germs. Teach children to wash their hands often, especially before eating and after using the toilet, spending time in a public place with many people or pettingthem animals. Show them how to wash and rinse their hands thoroughly.

Observe good hygiene. Do not share drinks, food, straws, cutlery, lip balm or toothbrushes with anyone. Teach children and teenagers to avoid sharing these items as well.

Take care of your health. Maintain your immune system, get enough rest, exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains.

Cover your mouth when you cough. When you have to cough or sneeze, be sure to cover your mouth and nose.

If you are pregnant, watch your food. Reduce your risk of listeriosis by cooking meats, including hot dogs and deli meats, to 74 degrees C. Avoid cheeses made from unpasteurized milk. Choose cheeses that are clearly marked as being made from pasteurized milk.