MENINGITIS AND ITS TREATMENT

What is meningitis?

The human brain has three major structural components: the large dome-shaped cerebrum (top), the smaller somewhat spherical cerebellum (lower right), and the brainstem (center). The brainstem is continuous with the spinal cord. Both the brain and the spinal cord are surrounded by three membranes called the meninges. Inflammation of these meninges is known as meningitis. Children under 5 years of age are at greatest risk of brain damage.

What causes meningitis?

Many of the microorganisms that cause meningitis are quite common in the environment. The microorganisms typically enter the body through the respiratory system or, sometimes, through the middle ear or nasal sinuses. Many people carry these bacteria or viruses without having any symptoms at all, while others experience minor, cold like symptoms. Meningitis only develops if these microorganisms enter a patient’s bloodstream and then the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which surrounds the brain and spinal cord.

The CSF contains no protective white blood cells to fight infection, so once the microorganisms enter the CSF, they multiply rapidly and make a person sick.

It is the inflammation of the meninges due to viral, bacterial or Fungal infection. In some cases it is caused by syphilis or tuberculosis. Meningitis may also be caused by a physical injury or trauma, a reaction to certain drugs or allergy.

Bacterial meningitis:

In bacterial meningitis symptoms usually begin suddenly and rapidly get worse that requires immediate medical attention. If not treated quickly, it can lead to loss of hearing, brain damage and even death. Bacterial meningitis is caused by any one of several bacteria. Most cases of bacterial meningitis are caused by one of three species of bacteria;

1.      Haemophilus influenza

2.      Streptococcus pneumonia

3.      Neisseria meningitidis.

Viral meningitis:

Viral meningitis is more common than the bacterial form and generally, but not always, less serious. Recovery from vital meningitis takes 2-3 weeks, and is usually complete.

It can be triggered by a number of viruses, including several that can cause diarrhea. People with viral meningitis are much less likely to have permanent brain damage after the infection resolves. Most will recover completely. The most common causes of viral meningitis.

1.      Coxsackie Viruses

2.      Echoviruses Viruses

Fungal meningitis:

Fungal meningitis is much less common than the other two forms. Fungus related meningitis is rare in healthy people. However, somebody who has a weakened immune system, such as a person with AIDS, is more likely to become infected with this form of meningitis.

Symptoms:

The most common symptoms of either form of meningitis include:

·         fever

·         pain and rigidity of muscles of the neck worse when moving especially bending forward.

·         Confusion and decreased level of understanding.

·         loss of appetite,

·         insomnia

·         a severe Headache made worse by bending forwards,

·         Nausea and Vomiting

·         In severe cases of meningitis, there are convulsions, delirium and coma leading to death.

Less common symptoms include:

·         Sluggishness, muscle aches and weakness, and strange feelings (such as tingling) or weakness throughout the body.

·         Eye sensitivity and eye pain from bright lights. Photophobia.

·         Skin rash

·         intolerance of sound and light.

·         abnormal sleepiness or drowsiness.

Meningitis detection (diagnose)

A procedure known as a lumbar puncture, sometimes called a spinal tap, will help confirm the diagnosis. An area of the back is injected with an anesthetic, and a needle is slipped between two bones in the spine to obtain a small sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

This fluid is normally clear, so if it appears cloudy and contains pus cells, you may have meningitis. Samples of blood and urine, and secretions from the nose or ears may also be taken. Because the disease can progress very rapidly, treatment will begin immediately, even before the results of the tests are known.

Prevention:

Good hygiene to prevent the spread of viruses is the only method of preventing viral meningitis. 

Homeopathic remedies for meningitis:

Homeopathic remedies have excellent treatment of meningitis. Recovery from viral meningitis takes 2-3 weeks, and is usually complete, but the bacterial form (same bacilli which cause Tuberculosis, for example, also cause meningitis) can be more serious - loss of hearing, brain abscess, brain damage, and even death.

Each and every person having a different sign and symptom. The homeopathic medicines are selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis, which includes the medical history of the patient, physical and mental constitution etc. A miasmatic tendency is also having a very important role so before using any homeopathic remedy, it is important to consult a homeopath who will determine which homeopathic remedy for that particular person is the best. There are several homeopathic remedies that are most commonly recommended.

Aconitum napellus:Meningitis from heat of the sun's rays after long exposure or cerebral congestions from anger. It is only useful at the onset. Fear is a marked symptom. With restlessness, dry skin, intense thirst and great fear of death. Aconite 6c, every 30 minutes.

Apis mellifica:
This is the best remedy for Meningitis. Spinal meningitis, Inflammation of serous membranes, disorders with collection of fluid in tissues and cavities of the body. Oedematous (a condition characterized by an excess of watery fluid collecting in the cavities or tissues of the body) swellings with formations like water-filled sacs. Tonsillitis with oedematous swelling of uvula. Ovarian cysts especially on the right side. Majority complaints occurred on right side. Suffocation feeling in warm room and touch agg. It suits especially infantile cases and especially the tubercular form due to an undeveloped eruption. Irritation of the meninges, especially from suppressed eruptions.
Apis is strongly indicated in scarlet fever, especially when kidney or brain complications occur. Head stabbing burning pains like the sting of a bee, the child puts its hand to its head or bores head into pillow and cries. Stomach; Sore feeling. Scanty urine, and the patient is thirstless. Vomiting of food. Craving for milk. (Rhus-t)
Feel better in open air, cold bathing and cold weather. Worm blooded persons. Apis is very useful in every kind of inflammation and swelling aggravated by exposure to heat or heat application.

Arnica:
Symptoms onset after head injury. Arnica 6c, every 30 minutes.

Baptisia:

Should be given intercurrently in all septic fevers. Left-sided renal colic. baptisia: serious feverish infections; general blood poisoning; states of confusion.

Belladonna:
Inflammation meninges is known as meningitis so belladonna in biggest remedy for acute inflammation. Belladonna corresponds to the initial stages, where there is intense heat of body, strong pulse, bright red face and delirium (e.i. Mental confusion as in a severe disease with high fever), where the cerebral irritation is marked by intense pain in the head, starting out of sleep crying out, grinding teeth.
Belladonna is used for simple meningitis, not the tubercular form, when everything is acute and intense.
A delirious state occurs particularly with a violent rise in temperature (as in Stramonium, Hyoscyamus and Veratrum), with considerably raised sensitivity of all the senses and a disproportionate sensitivity to touch, noises, light, cold air.
Belladonna 6c, every 30 minutes. Belladonna 6c, every 30 minutes.

Bryonia:Bryonia is used when meningitis has the following symptoms: high temperature, white tongue, Sharp pains in the head, worse from motion, better when lying down. Bursting headache, worse when rising up and the patient drinks greedily; there is high temperature, copious sweats. Thus it is seen that Bryonia produces a characteristic image of meningitis and suits especially cases caused by suppressed eruption.
Bryonia is also a remedy for typhoid fevers and sensory disturbances and delirium often occurring, as e.g. in meningitis, when the lower jaw is constantly in motion, as if chewing.
Bryonia 6c, every 30 minutes.

Camphora officinalis:In sudden onset where the poison falls on the patient like a thunderbolt and collapse approaches speedily. The patient is cold, pale and pulseless, eyes sunken, face livid (bluish or discolored as a result of bruising). Patient cold, but does not want to be covered.

Cicuta virosa:Cicuta is useful in the stimulating stage when there are general spasms, twitching in fingers and unconsciousness. The head is spasmodically drawn back with stiff neck. Violent jerks in any part of the body. Craving for charcoal and other indigestible things. Complementary remedy in tuberculous meningitis.

Cina maritime:
One is that with their intestinal upsets they become very restless and liable to get meningeal irritation, with constant agitation of the head, rubbing it into the pillow. Even without definite meningitis they tend to develop an internal squint. Teeth grinding during sleep (bell., ars-alb.,).

Gelsemium:its action is totally motor, but it may be indicated in meningitis by its general symptoms. It is less often indicated and hence less valuable than Belladonna.

Glonoinum:

The specific indications which have generally emerged are the complaints following sunstroke, the ciruclatory disturbances in the heart and the pulsating and beating in the blood vessels. Thus Glonoin is likely to be effective in strokes, delirium, like epilepsy spasms, meningitis, migraines and also dysmenorrhoea, so long as the symptomatology indicates it.
Complaints are aggravated by heat of the sun, hot weather, movement, drinking spirits, and having the hair cut (Bell). They are ameliorated at rest and in the fresh air.

Helleborus niger:Helleborus is a homeopathic remedy that is very effective in treating meningitis when it is accompanied by laziness, headache, screaming or sudden crying out. It corresponds to a later stage of the disease, symptoms such as wrinkling the forehead, dilated pupils and automatic movements of one arm and one leg (Zinc.) are indicative of Helleborus. There are shooting pains in the head, sudden crying out, screaming, boring head into the pillow. The cries have a most pitiful sound.Worse: For cold air; for being uncovered; for exertion; during the night; worsen between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Better: in warmth; for being wrapped up; for lying quietly at rest and undisturbed.

 Iodoformium:

"IODOFORUM" should not be forgotten in the treatment of tubercular meningitis. He advises it both as a local application to the head and internally also.

Veratrum viride:

Rapid-onset condition for which Veratrum vir. is given is intense fever with twitching, especially during sleep, spasms (involuntary movements), or puerperal fever (infection in the genital tract after miscarriage, an abortion, or childbirth).

Intense cerebral congestion, Violent, rapidly appearing headaches may occur, with a bursting, congested sensation in the head, as if it contains too much blood. Beats of heart slow and weak, tendency to convulsions, followed by prostration. Coldness of the surface, loss of consciousness, dilated pupils, slow, irregular pulse.

Zincum metallicumThis remedy corresponds to the sub-acute form, especially if tubercular and due to suppressed eruptions. Brain trouble in spinal meningitis, etc. A great remedy in meningitis and hydrocephalus. “Not the mentally deficient: but the mental weakness of disease.” Chewing motions: due to sharp pains boring head into pillow. Automatic motion of one arm and leg (Helleborus).

First aid remedies:

Here I advise some medicine used for first aid purpose only that help you in serious condition but for complete treatment concern you homeopath urgently.

·         Symptoms accompanied by restlessness, fear, dry skin, great thirst Aconite 30c.

·         Person very hot, delirious, with staring eyes Belladonna 30c.

·         Symptoms onset after head injury Arnica 30c.